We are constantly taught that if we ever want to find true
happiness in life it can be done only through developing charity towards
everyone. Charity is the pure love of Jesus Christ, and anyone that learns to
be filled with it either through service, understanding the life of Jesus
Christ, selflessness, humility, or meekness will be unable to fall into temptation
or depression that the devil so eagerly tries to tie us down with.
One of
my favorite passages of scripture is in Moroni 7:41-48. It talks about having
hope and faith, and how can we get such a thing in our lives. If you haven’t
ever read the scriptures backwards here is your chance! Start reading from the
end of the chapter backwards to verse 41, and you will see a nice formula on
how to achieve true happiness in this life, which is that HOPE and FAITH that
we are all working for a greater good. Looking back on my life to this point I can
see plain as day the times when I am most happy and the times were I feel
depressed and lazy. There are a few things at play each time. First and
foremost is service to those around me. When I am forgetting about myself and
the things that I need to do, and that time and thought is replaced with
someone else through service there is an unmistakable feeling that overcomes
me. While serving a mission I was at a constant high, and I felt this way
because I was always helping my companion and the people in the area that I served.
When I got home from my mission it stopped, I got caught up in getting my life
started with school and work to a point that service became a nuisance to me.
It wasn’t long before I was unhappy and didn’t know why.
Just
like the pride cycle we see in the Book of Mormon, I see a service/charity
cycle in my life. I see a need for Charity and service, when I act upon that
need and serve others I am happy. Over time that changes and I find myself
wrapped up in myself. Unfortunately, just like the pride cycle it takes a too
long for me to realize what went missing. Once I realize it and get back on the
horse life starts getting better.
I know
we have a VERY patient Heavenly Father that sees these trends in my life and I am
sure most everyone’s lives. No matter
the point on the time line he continues to bless us and knead us back to him.
Please read 3 Nephi 9:13-14. The constant reminder that He is always welcoming
us back with outstretched arms is a beacon of hope to me. If we are found
without Charity, ask him for some of his so that we can start to feel his
warmth, then that warmth will brighten our days bringing hope and faith that we
can become better. Each time I get to that point I can’t help but want to share
that with those around me, and before long I am engaged in full-fledged service
to those around me and strangers alike. Let us not forget why we are here on
this earth. It is to collectively head back to our Father in Heaven.
There
are countless ways for us to serve. We can do small acts of kindness to those
around us that last just a small time, and we can do everlasting acts of
kindness at the Temple for those who have not received the blessings the temple
brings to us. I know this life is one of hard work that will never end; those not
filled with Charity will see that as overwhelming and want to give up because
the task seems too large. Just as a reminder, we are all in this together;
there is strength in numbers and in the gospel. Serve constantly and be
eternally happy. I know this is true as I have seen it time and time again.
Onward Christian solders!
No comments:
Post a Comment