Mark 12:29-31 -- "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is...thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength...And the second is...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."
John 13:34 -- "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Moroni 7:47 -- "...charity is the pure love of Christ"
Moroni 7:46 -- "...if ye have not charity, ye are nothing"
I've heard it said more than once that despite the commandment we've been given to love everyone, it's not possible. I think it was spoken with a sense of practicality by people who readily acknowledged that there were people they knew whom they definitely did not love. I understand that, and I appreciate their candor, but what they said wasn't true. The fact is that we can love everyone. Maybe we can't all to do so all at once, without growing and exercising ourselves to gain that love, and sometimes there are people who are particularly difficult to love and who may have injured us seriously in some way. But we have great examples of others, Jesus Christ being the foremost but many more mere mortals as well, who have shown great love to others who were the most difficult to love or the least deserving.
I try to love everyone. I sure don't always succeed. But I have felt that love for everyone before, and I try to keep it with me. Interestingly, some of the times when I've most strongly felt the emotion of love for all were times when I was experiencing great trials. Otherwise, when I feel the greatest love is when I am engaged in service toward them. That service is a key component, and without taking the time for others I'm sure it would be impossible to gain or keep a love for them.
While service is essential, there are many good things which are not sufficient in and of themselves. The words of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 strike me particularly: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
One way to serve others is by declaring truth in this world so full of falsehood and deception. If we love those around us, we'll want the best for them. We'll want to speak the truth to enlighten them, if we happen to have light to share. (And we'll want to gain that light so that we can share it.) However, we run a certain risk. When we speak to what is true or right we either explicitly or implicitly speak to what is false or wrong. In doing so, some will feel as if we're condemning ("judging") them. Perhaps it's a rare thing these days for people to speak the truth while still genuinely loving those who don't seem to live by it, but I don't think that's the real problem. I think instead the real problem is the underlying but widely prevalent message that to disagree with someone's actions or lifestyle is to hate them. Love is preached to be synonymous with complete acceptance of not only the basic person but of everything they do.
The real challenge for me is to live in such a way that people know I love them. When the situation arises in which they could interpret my words as either condemnation or encouragement, they won't just see me as a "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." They will know that I really do want what is best for them and that I still love them even with their incorrect choices, just as I hope others will still love me despite my choices that either are wrong or seem wrong to them.
Last thoughts for now:
I know that some people will never feel the love I have for them even when I'm doing my very best to have that love. I know that I haven't overcome selfishness and have certainly not achieved perfect charity in my heart. But I know that it is right and good that I should have that love. I know that I need to keep that love as a constant goal in my life and that without it, nothing else matters. I hope that I can teach it to my children and encourage it in all those around me. Charity is greater than hope, but I'll keep hope in a world that knows real charity.
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sunday, August 28, 2011
To Be Mourned After Death
(written 21 Aug 11)
People value some strange things, and often people care way too much about others whom they’ve never even met, but sometimes what is important to a certain person is indicative of real worth.
We read that a certain disciple, Tabitha, was known in her life for being “full of good works and almsdeeds” (Acts 9:36). To have such a reputation shows that she really did something useful in her life. As we read further we learn at least one thing specifically that Tabitha did. After she died, “all the widows stood by…weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which [she] had made, while she was with them.”
They cared. Those widows really cared. She had made clothing for them, and they wept while showing an apostle of the Lord how she had shown them charity. I'm confident that the widows loved her for more than the material gifts, also; they surely felt her love in other ways as well.
Would I have anyone weep for my loss? Would others care like that? Would my death be meaningful, and thus indicate that my life had been meaningful?
I think of my wife, who has sewed blessing dresses for so many newborn girls. Sometimes the mothers cry when they see the dresses. That shows that she, much like Tabitha, has done something meaningful.
Last thoughts for now:
My gifts to others probably won’t often be in the form of clothing, so they won't mourn my loss for that reason. Frankly, I don’t want to be mourned when I die. I want people to rejoice in the Plan of Salvation. I’d like it, though, to know that my life had meaning to others. I hope to serve others until they know I love them, and I hope that in return they love me.
People value some strange things, and often people care way too much about others whom they’ve never even met, but sometimes what is important to a certain person is indicative of real worth.
We read that a certain disciple, Tabitha, was known in her life for being “full of good works and almsdeeds” (Acts 9:36). To have such a reputation shows that she really did something useful in her life. As we read further we learn at least one thing specifically that Tabitha did. After she died, “all the widows stood by…weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which [she] had made, while she was with them.”
They cared. Those widows really cared. She had made clothing for them, and they wept while showing an apostle of the Lord how she had shown them charity. I'm confident that the widows loved her for more than the material gifts, also; they surely felt her love in other ways as well.
Would I have anyone weep for my loss? Would others care like that? Would my death be meaningful, and thus indicate that my life had been meaningful?
I think of my wife, who has sewed blessing dresses for so many newborn girls. Sometimes the mothers cry when they see the dresses. That shows that she, much like Tabitha, has done something meaningful.
Last thoughts for now:
My gifts to others probably won’t often be in the form of clothing, so they won't mourn my loss for that reason. Frankly, I don’t want to be mourned when I die. I want people to rejoice in the Plan of Salvation. I’d like it, though, to know that my life had meaning to others. I hope to serve others until they know I love them, and I hope that in return they love me.
The Joy of the Challenges of Families
(written 21 Aug 11)
I was able to attend an Elder’s Quorum meeting today because I’m out of town. Out of the continental U.S. to be more specific, but anyway, I received a lesson from the teacher about eternal families. I really liked a line from the Gospel Principles manual that stated something about husbands and wives making each other happy. I thought particularly about my daughter’s reaction before I left; I’m confident that she means it when she says she loves me and that she really wants me around, so I must be doing some things right.
It occurred to me also that it’s pretty easy for us to be pleasant with people we don’t have to spend much time with, particularly if we’re just meeting them, but it’s different with our spouses (and children), with whom we spend so much time. We have ups and downs, but even when we’re not feeling well we can generally muster some charm and manners so as to give others a positive impression. With our spouses, though, it’s a continual effort, and it’s hard to be nice all the time; it takes endurance. That’s why it’s so beneficial to us; in being continually nice to our family members, we get a real opportunity to exercise our charity “muscles”, or in other words, to become more Christlike.
The idea of the our role in the family structure being a key part of our struggle to perfect ourselves isn’t new, but it’s recassuring to see the wisdom of God’s plan for us.
Very likely, it’s the fact that we must put effort into our family relationships that makes them so fulfilling and joyous.
Last thoughts for now:
I love my family. I’m glad they miss me when I’m away. I’m glad that I have to make a real effort at times in order to show them that I love them. I’m glad that my wife makes such efforts for me. I’m grateful for my covenants.
I was able to attend an Elder’s Quorum meeting today because I’m out of town. Out of the continental U.S. to be more specific, but anyway, I received a lesson from the teacher about eternal families. I really liked a line from the Gospel Principles manual that stated something about husbands and wives making each other happy. I thought particularly about my daughter’s reaction before I left; I’m confident that she means it when she says she loves me and that she really wants me around, so I must be doing some things right.
It occurred to me also that it’s pretty easy for us to be pleasant with people we don’t have to spend much time with, particularly if we’re just meeting them, but it’s different with our spouses (and children), with whom we spend so much time. We have ups and downs, but even when we’re not feeling well we can generally muster some charm and manners so as to give others a positive impression. With our spouses, though, it’s a continual effort, and it’s hard to be nice all the time; it takes endurance. That’s why it’s so beneficial to us; in being continually nice to our family members, we get a real opportunity to exercise our charity “muscles”, or in other words, to become more Christlike.
The idea of the our role in the family structure being a key part of our struggle to perfect ourselves isn’t new, but it’s recassuring to see the wisdom of God’s plan for us.
Very likely, it’s the fact that we must put effort into our family relationships that makes them so fulfilling and joyous.
Last thoughts for now:
I love my family. I’m glad they miss me when I’m away. I’m glad that I have to make a real effort at times in order to show them that I love them. I’m glad that my wife makes such efforts for me. I’m grateful for my covenants.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Strategy
I don't know if this strategy actually works, and the strategy for it's own sake would miss the point. However, I'm willing to keep going on the assumption that it does work to an extent.
Bear with me as I preface the strategy. I'll start with an age-old philosopher's question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, why do bad things happen to anybody? Why does God allow it?
Firstly, because ultimately bad things happening to people don't interfere with God's plan. That is, bad circumstances or events don't really harm them eternally.
In the classic passage of Moses 1:39, we read, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The immortality part has been taken care of via the resurrection. We're covered there. Eternal life is the part that remains. Eternal life is more than endless living; it's life like that of the Eternal One, with all the glory of God. It's exaltation. We can receive it only through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, continual reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and being true to our covenants.
No outside force can stop us from receiving eternal life. Nothing short of our own choices can harm us eternally. No illness, injury, or loss, or even death, can take away our exaltation. Take Job for an example. He lost his wealth, his home, his family, his credibility with his friends, and maybe even more though I don't remember the whole story, but he stayed strong in his faith.
Hard times are painful for us, and our loving Heavenly Father surely doesn't enjoy seeing us experience that pain, but they don't impede His plan. (And frankly, no matter how rough the rough times are, they amount to little when viewed from an eternal perspective.)
Secondly, trials give us the opportunity to grow if we bear them well. We can very effectively gain patience, humility, sympathy, wisdom, purification, and strength through faithfully enduring trials. So, in addition to tribulations and trials not being really, eternally bad for us, they can be very good for us eternally if we handle them well.
So, to the strategy. Consider humility. That's a big one. I have certainly been humbled more than once by my trials and difficulties, particularly when I recognized that my own mistakes or immaturity brought those trials to me. Trials also bring purification, at least in the sense that they help us to filter out unimportant things from our life. However, I have also found that service brings humility, and it also helps us to let go of our selfish pursuits.
Consider, for example, that we go to care for someone who is suffering from a disablingly painful disease. As we do so, we realize that our own problems are relatively small, and that we have an easy life compared to the poor soul in the hospital bed. Instant and refreshing humility. Also, by dedicating our time to serving others, we drop less necessary things from our life. While attending to the sick person, we don't have time for watching sports, or playing online games, or even good and productive activities that are simply less important.
If I'm going to learn to be like God, as I've been commanded (Matthew 5:48), I need to learn humility and be willing to let go of selfish or unimportant pursuits. My strategy then is to gain that humility and purification through service, rather than having God feel it necessary to give me these things through trials.
Of course, that's not really my reason for dedicating myself to serving others. The real reason is charity, the pure love of Christ, and a desire to obey my God. At the same time, though, if I can reduce my personal need for trials, well, I'm all for it.
Last thoughts for now:
I don't know if our dedication to service really causes God to give us fewer trials in life, and I'm sure it won't prevent all of them. Perhaps, though, it's really a matter of changing the nature of some of our trials. Service, after all, is still a challenge, and there is plenty of room for sorrow and exhaustion in service, but how much better to experience the difficulties because we're helping others rather than because we're being unwise? Service to God and His children (Mosiah 2:17) brings us joy and helps us to forget our own problems, but it also helps us to become like Him. I hope to learn this lesson more and more.
Bear with me as I preface the strategy. I'll start with an age-old philosopher's question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, why do bad things happen to anybody? Why does God allow it?
Firstly, because ultimately bad things happening to people don't interfere with God's plan. That is, bad circumstances or events don't really harm them eternally.
In the classic passage of Moses 1:39, we read, "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The immortality part has been taken care of via the resurrection. We're covered there. Eternal life is the part that remains. Eternal life is more than endless living; it's life like that of the Eternal One, with all the glory of God. It's exaltation. We can receive it only through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, continual reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and being true to our covenants.
No outside force can stop us from receiving eternal life. Nothing short of our own choices can harm us eternally. No illness, injury, or loss, or even death, can take away our exaltation. Take Job for an example. He lost his wealth, his home, his family, his credibility with his friends, and maybe even more though I don't remember the whole story, but he stayed strong in his faith.
Hard times are painful for us, and our loving Heavenly Father surely doesn't enjoy seeing us experience that pain, but they don't impede His plan. (And frankly, no matter how rough the rough times are, they amount to little when viewed from an eternal perspective.)
Secondly, trials give us the opportunity to grow if we bear them well. We can very effectively gain patience, humility, sympathy, wisdom, purification, and strength through faithfully enduring trials. So, in addition to tribulations and trials not being really, eternally bad for us, they can be very good for us eternally if we handle them well.
So, to the strategy. Consider humility. That's a big one. I have certainly been humbled more than once by my trials and difficulties, particularly when I recognized that my own mistakes or immaturity brought those trials to me. Trials also bring purification, at least in the sense that they help us to filter out unimportant things from our life. However, I have also found that service brings humility, and it also helps us to let go of our selfish pursuits.
Consider, for example, that we go to care for someone who is suffering from a disablingly painful disease. As we do so, we realize that our own problems are relatively small, and that we have an easy life compared to the poor soul in the hospital bed. Instant and refreshing humility. Also, by dedicating our time to serving others, we drop less necessary things from our life. While attending to the sick person, we don't have time for watching sports, or playing online games, or even good and productive activities that are simply less important.
If I'm going to learn to be like God, as I've been commanded (Matthew 5:48), I need to learn humility and be willing to let go of selfish or unimportant pursuits. My strategy then is to gain that humility and purification through service, rather than having God feel it necessary to give me these things through trials.
Of course, that's not really my reason for dedicating myself to serving others. The real reason is charity, the pure love of Christ, and a desire to obey my God. At the same time, though, if I can reduce my personal need for trials, well, I'm all for it.
Last thoughts for now:
I don't know if our dedication to service really causes God to give us fewer trials in life, and I'm sure it won't prevent all of them. Perhaps, though, it's really a matter of changing the nature of some of our trials. Service, after all, is still a challenge, and there is plenty of room for sorrow and exhaustion in service, but how much better to experience the difficulties because we're helping others rather than because we're being unwise? Service to God and His children (Mosiah 2:17) brings us joy and helps us to forget our own problems, but it also helps us to become like Him. I hope to learn this lesson more and more.
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