I have been reading Stepping Stones: Finding and Following the Way Which Leads to Abundant Life by Rev. Michael Tomson-DeGreef. In this book, the author describes seven “stepping stones” toward abundant life: wonder, gratitude, community, prayer, justice, forgiveness and service.

Among these, two have especially stayed with me: community and service.

To experience abundant life, we are called to live in community with one another. In a true community, we both receive love and offer it in return. Building a beloved community requires intentional reflection — examining ourselves and being attentive to what is happening around us. It means watching out for one another and responding with care and compassion.

Ephesians 4:1-6 reminds us to “bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This is not always easy, but it is essential. We are called to live together in love.

In recent times, we have witnessed the heartbreaking loss of young lives to suicide. These tragedies raise difficult questions about what is happening within our communities. In moments like these, we may not have all the answers, but we do know what we are called to do: to be present, to support grieving families, and to carry one another’s burdens in love.

The second stepping stone is service. In Matthew 25:34-36, 40, Jesus teaches that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for Him. This is a powerful reminder that service is not optional — it is central to our faith.

Among us are those who are sick, isolated or struggling to meet basic needs. Some go to bed hungry. As a beloved community, we are called to notice, to care, and to respond. Service means stepping beyond hesitation and offering what we can, trusting that even small acts matter.

This leads to an important question: with so much suffering in the world — poverty, illness, injustice — can one person really make a difference?

It is a challenging question. Often, we see needs right in front of us but hesitate to act. We may think, “This is not my responsibility,” or feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called into service. We are not asked to solve everything, but we are asked to be faithful in what is placed before us.

Our strength to serve does not come from ourselves alone, but from the Lord who equips and sustains us. When we lean on Him, even the smallest acts of love and service can become signs of God’s abundant life breaking into the world.