Don't let a moment of service pass by!
For me, service has always been a part of my life. My mother has always taught me the importance of helping others and truly loving and caring for them. Yet, in my life there are so many opportunities I have to serve that I pass up. This scripture in Alma 60: 7-9 has caused me to reflect upon this concept even more.
Alma 60: 7-9
7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren—
8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword.
9 But behold, this is not all—ye have withheld your provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out their lives because of their great desires which they had for the welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great neglect towards them.
Now I highlighted some of the phrases that stood out to me. “Might have” is one that I particularly am struck by. “Might have” implies it was possible. Help could have been given to these people but for whatever reason it wasn't This is where I want to improve in my service to others. When I feel prompted by the Spirit to do something, (Spirit = The Holy Ghost, People who are LDS receive the gift of the Holy Ghost once they are baptized. The Holy Ghost helps us make good decisions and act as the Lord would have us act), I do not want to second guess what I am feeling. I want to serve at that exact moment. It is my hope that as I act as the Lord’s hands in service, that others will continue this service and “pay it forward”. There is always so much for us to do and we need as many people as we can to help contribute in serving others. The Lord blesses each and every one of us with unique gifts and talents. These are our “provisions” (as mentioned in verse 9) and we cannot withhold them from those who need our help.
The Lord places so many opportunities for us to serve daily. Whether it is smiling at someone or holding the door open for someone. The little things add up. Our service doesn't always have to change someone’s life but it could change their day or even just a minute of their day but it does make a difference.
Quote from Elder M. Russell Ballard
How do we make this change? How do we ingrain this love of Christ into our hearts? There is one simple daily practice that can make a difference for every member of the Church, including you boys and girls, you young men and you young women, you single adults, and you fathers and mothers.
That simple practice is: In your morning prayer each new day, ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of His precious children. Then go throughout the day with your heart full of faith and love, looking for someone to help. Stay focused, just like the honeybees focus on the flowers from which to gather nectar and pollen. If you do this, your spiritual sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible.
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