Learning About Service

[Ducky]

I haven't been a member for very long, and for me, service is a gospel principle that I'm still learning about. Growing up, it was always "family first, friends second, the rest of the world...eh;" but I have watched others serve, and I have been blessed in the service that many have provided for my family and me. Even the little things count in this category, such as being offered a chair to sit in, being asked about my health or my family, or simply being approached to share in a conversation. I have learned from all of those examples, as well as from an article I just read in the May Ensign: "Service, a Divine Quality," Elder Carlos H. Amado. In this article, three passages struck home for me, the last one in particular...

" 'If then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (John 13:13-15)'."

"Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; He cannot teach us if we do not serve Him."

"Those who serve...will not find reason or have time to become offended. They develop the virtue of praying for those who criticize."

I think that in learning about and truly understanding the gospel, you become naturally inclined to learn from Christ's examples and the good examples of those around you; and as a result, you're given tools to improve yourself and the weaknesses you may have often wished (but never knew how) to overcome.

[Traveler]

I haven't been a member for very long, and for me, service is a gospel principle that I'm still learning about. Growing up, it was always "family first, friends second, the rest of the world...eh;" but I have watched others serve, and I have been blessed in the service that many have provided for my family and me. Even the little things count in this category, such as being offered a chair to sit in, being asked about my health or my family, or simply being approached to share in a conversation. I have learned from all of those examples, as well as from an article I just read in the May Ensign: "Service, a Divine Quality," Elder Carlos H. Amado. In this article, three passages struck home for me, the last one in particular...

" 'If then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (John 13:13-15)'."

"Christ cannot help us if we do not trust Him; He cannot teach us if we do not serve Him."

"Those who serve...will not find reason or have time to become offended. They develop the virtue of praying for those who criticize."

I think that in learning about and truly understanding the gospel, you become naturally inclined to learn from Christ's examples and the good examples of those around you; and as a result, you're given tools to improve yourself and the weaknesses you may have often wished (but never knew how) to overcome.

As we come to understand service we gain understanding of G-d. Everything about G-d is service. The creation was an act of service such that G-d had nothing in creation of personal gain - it is all about his love of others.

I am also convinced that the reason we are giving callings is to help us serve. Many (myself included) would not think to serve in some ways until we are given a calling. I also believe that service is the frist step towards a knowledge of good. The counter step toward a knowledge of evil is selfishness.

The Traveler

[utcowboy]

Excellant post to both of you.... We do need to learn to put others before ourselves, and some of the hardest lessons are to allow others to help you. This is on that I need to work on, and each day is a new lesson.... :) Thanks

[pam]

Allowing others to help me has been a really hard issue for me. When I first got divorced 9 years ago finances were a horrible struggle...the Bishop and the RS Pres kept saying.."Let us help you." My pride kept getting in the way. Finally one day the Bishop pulled me aside and said..."Pam...you have to let go of the pride. This isn't about you..this is about those 3 young children you have." Allowing the YW to provide Christmas for my children was difficult for me...but oh the joy it brought those YW to do something for someone. And of course it brought alot of joy to my kids who otherwise probably would not have had a Christmas that children love.

[Elphaba]

Allowing others to help me has been a really hard issue for me. When I first got divorced 9 years ago finances were a horrible struggle...the Bishop and the RS Pres kept saying.."Let us help you." My pride kept getting in the way. Finally one day the Bishop pulled me aside and said..."Pam...you have to let go of the pride. This isn't about you..this is about those 3 young children you have." Allowing the YW to provide Christmas for my children was difficult for me...but oh the joy it brought those YW to do something for someone. And of course it brought alot of joy to my kids who otherwise probably would not have had a Christmas that children love.

I loved that Pam.

Elphie

[Palerider]

In our Ward we would identify a few families that needed help at Christmas time. Someone would collect money from others in the Ward and we either went and bought the gifts or we stuffed an envelope full of money and handed it to the Mom or Dad and told them someone gave this to me and wanted me to give it to your family. It was alot of fun to watch their faces.

[Superbaldguy]

It's interesting who we meet on Web forums, I know Ducky quite well=)

I have a simple approach to service. We are told in the Church that we can learn to love those whom we serve; ultimately, if we learn to serve everyone then we can learn to LOVE everyone. I feel this is exactly why the Lord emphasized this doctrine so poignantly throughout His ministry.

[Mykdiver]

Allowing others to help me has been a really hard issue for me. When I first got divorced 9 years ago finances were a horrible struggle...the Bishop and the RS Pres kept saying.."Let us help you." My pride kept getting in the way. Finally one day the Bishop pulled me aside and said..."Pam...you have to let go of the pride. This isn't about you..this is about those 3 young children you have." Allowing the YW to provide Christmas for my children was difficult for me...but oh the joy it brought those YW to do something for someone. And of course it brought alot of joy to my kids who otherwise probably would not have had a Christmas that children love.

Ahmen to that! I agree the hardest part of service is being served. It is hard to admit it when you need help.

As far as service goes, I feel it is one of the most important things we can do as Christians that will help us become closer to the spirit. We need to be helpfull and serve others every chance we get, it will make the world a much better place to live!

[lilered]

If we as followers of Jesus want to emulate him, then one of the best way to do that is by service. He truly was the epitome of being a great leader and showed us how by serving others. A great example of this was when he washed the feet of the diciples. I have often thought that many us us would be so much better off if we would lose ourselves in service of our fellow man and spend less time worrying about ourselves. The flip side of that is that I have also witnessed members whose pride won't let them accept help of any kind even though they really could use it.

When we do perform service for others we learn to meaning of lifting one anothers burdens, set examples for others, and teach our younger kids and teenagers the meaning of sharing our time, talents, and material things. We also truly practice loving our neighbor as ourselves.