All of us must be willing to serve, no matter what our income, age, or social position. When the mother of two of His disciples asked Him to honor her sons in His kingdom, Jesus replied, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26-27 in the Bible).
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
We can be a friend to a newcomer. We can care for someone who is sick. We can teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone who needs the truth or comfort someone who grieves and encourage those that are discouraged. We can do small and large acts of service. We should never fail to help someone because we are unable to do great things for them.
THE LORD SERVES US THROUGH OTHERS AND OTHERS THROUGH US
Throughout our lives all of us depend on others for help. When we were infants our parents fed, clothed, and cared for us. Without this care we would have died. When we grew up other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many of us have needed nursing care during illness or money in a financial crisis. Some of us ask God to bless suffering people and then do nothing for them. We must remember that God works through us to serve others if we are open to his promptings.
NOT EVERYONE WILL ASK US FOR HELP EVEN THOUGH THEY NEED OUR HELP
Natalie Jones share her experience of how others helped her when she never asked for help:
“We all experience ups and downs in life, but 2013 was a particularly difficult year for our family. We experienced many unexpected and costly home and auto repairs. My husband, Ryan, lost his job, and our youngest son was born with complications and had to spend a few weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit. I also struggled with postpartum depression. These circumstances, combined with being parents of four young children, strained us financially and emotionally. Ryan found new employment, but he worked long hours and was out of town for weeks at a time. Our five-year-old son, Wesley, began having anxiety about his dad being gone so often. He constantly woke up during the night from nightmares. Our extended family supported me when they could, but I still felt exhausted and alone most of the time. I knew that Heavenly Father loved and was aware of my family, but I felt like we were drowning. One afternoon, while Ryan was out of town for work, I drove my kids home from school and desperately prayed for help. Later that night, my neighbor Kendra knocked on our door. She knew about our situation and asked how I was doing. I had no intention of complaining to her, and she was the last person I would have asked for help. Her husband, Brent, had been battling cancer for the past four years. I told Kendra I was fine, but she sincerely asked again. Tearfully, I opened up to her about my struggles. When I told her about Wesley’s anxiety and nightmares, she asked if I would like Brent to give Wesley a blessing of healing. A while later, Kendra, Brent, and their oldest son, Tyson, came to our door dressed in church clothes. Brent was frail. I’m sure it took all the energy he had to come to our house. He gave Wesley a blessing. That day, Kendra, Brent, and Tyson were true examples of Christlike ministering. They set aside their own trials to sincerely offer us love and compassion. I felt blessed that Heavenly Father answered my prayer in this tender way. Brent died two weeks later. To me, it is sacred that his ministering to our family was one of his last acts on earth.”
THE SAVIOR SET THE PERFECT EXAMPLE
When He was on earth He served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner, the despised. He taught the gospel to all who would listen, fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear Him, healed the sick, and raised the dead. He is the Creator of the earth and our Savior, yet He did many humble acts of service. Just before His Crucifixion He met with His disciples. After teaching them, He took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet (John 13:4-10 in the Bible) In those days washing a visitor’s feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did it as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like Jesus Christ.
Dallas Jones is the local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This article quoted Natalie Jones from the July 2020 edition of Ensign. For further discussion call (231) 383-8359 or send an email to dallasjones8349@yahoo.com. If interested in reading Jones’ previous articles printed in the newspaper visit: djonesarticles.com.