Some people jokingly say that I’m a professional brown noser because I can “suck up” with the best of them. But this devotion isn’t about flattering people or trying to gain favor. It’s about being a servant—taking time out of your day to bless others with kind words, thoughtful gestures, or acts of service.

Here are a few examples from my life:

1. Helping after the storm
   Recently, storms came through Orange City and left devastation everywhere. Trees were down—on houses, on cars, across yards. My heart broke for those affected, and I wished I could help more, but without a chainsaw I felt limited. Still, when a tree fell in my own yard, I didn’t just focus on my mess. I also helped neighbors clean up theirs.
2. Blessing someone in the grocery line
   Sometimes at the grocery store, I see a young man I don’t really know. On a couple of occasions, he was behind me in line with some pop and snacks. I told the cashier, “I’ll pay for his items too.” Later, when I told my wife, she teased me, saying, “You’re such a kiss-up.” But I told her that wasn’t my heart. I simply wanted to bless someone.
3. Encouraging a co-worker
   We had a co-worker who was traveling for work and going through a rough time with a project. I asked my boss, “What can we do to make him feel appreciated when he gets back?” With his blessing, I picked up the co-worker’s favorite snacks and drinks, added a balloon, and left it all on his desk. When he returned, it lifted his spirits and reminded him that he was valued.
4. Making someone smile
   Another time, Adrie had to work in our downtown office while his own office was being remodeled. I asked myself, “How can I encourage him?” I knew he liked the Vikings, and since I’m pretty good with Photoshop, I created a life-size poster of him with Kirk Cousins’ body. I placed it by his office, and he loved it—it made him laugh and brightened his day.

In the Bible, God gives us two commandments that stand above all the rest: Love God and love your neighbor.

Matthew 22:36–40 (NIV):
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Mark 12:29–31 (NIV):
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Luke 10:25–28 (NIV):
When an expert in the law asked Jesus about eternal life, Jesus answered:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

We see this truth repeated three times in Scripture. Three times people tried to test Jesus about the greatest commandment, and three times He gave the same answer: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

The world doesn’t like to be challenged. The world tells us to focus on ourselves and our desires. But if you want to be a true leader—in your family, among your friends, or in your community—you need to look around. People all around you are dealing with heavy burdens, and Jesus wants to use you to care for them.

That’s my challenge for this week: Ask yourself each day, “How can I bless someone today?”

And if people want to call you a “brown noser,” let them. God knows your heart.