June 29, 2020
The Blessings of Service
In the New Testament, Peter shares his devoted love for Jesus Christ: “Thou knowest that I love thee.” The Savior then responds by saying that if Peter loves Him, then he should “feed my sheep.”1
How do we feed Christ’s sheep? One way could be to follow His example of selfless service. When we serve, we are blessed with help in our education, employment, and life. Service allows us to experience good health, lasting joy, and new opportunities. Most of all, it shows Heavenly Father our love for Him and His children.
Service increases happiness
Performing an act of service lowers stress levels.
When tackling challenging courses, we need to feel our absolute best. Research shows that helping others by performing an act of service lowers our stress levels.2
Service adds to our sense of purpose, which increases our joy and uplifts us. This puts us in a better mood, which can help us have more strength to overcome trials and challenges. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.”3 Performing service provides a sense of accomplishment!
Volunteering leads to opportunities
Community service can also boost the likelihood of future employment.4 Many organizations offer these opportunities, such as local animal shelters, homeless shelters, or charities.
To find opportunities to serve, you can contact local Church leaders for help, such as the bishopric or missionaries. They can give guidance for areas and people in need of service. Check out the Church’s JustServe website for more ideas!
Community service can lead to future networking and employment opportunities.
Community service can help you explore different areas of work, and can be placed on a resume to show you care for your community. Community service can add to our knowledge and growth, and create lasting and meaningful experiences. Often, you will gain friendships and expand your skills of teamwork, communication, and leadership. All these qualities help us develop a strong work ethic!
The Savior is close to those who serve
Along with health benefits, improved mood, and more opportunities, we keep the Savior close to us as we do acts of service. This can help us have His help to support us through difficult times.
Service gives us opportunities to uplift and inspire others. When we do small acts of service, we can have a significant impact on others’ lives. Simply smiling, saying hello, or writing a note could brighten someone’s day. The Savior is grateful to those who perform even the smallest acts of service. He said, “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”5
Christ is the ultimate example of service and how we should treat others. He came to earth to establish His Church and to atone for the sins of all of God’s children — the greatest act of service in the history of the world.6 As we serve as Christ does, we show our gratitude and love for Him and His sacrifice.
God sees our efforts
Service gives us opportunities to uplift and inspire others.
While we may find ways to serve, we might not always see the blessings that come from that service. Elder Michael T. Ringwood, a General Authority Seventy, taught, “The service that counts the most is usually recognized by God alone.”7
We won’t always get an immediate reward for our service, but we can know that God notices our hard work and loves us for it. “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”8
What are your favorite ways to serve others? Share in the comments below!
Comments on "The Blessings of Service"
Thanks for sharing the words of encouragement. I have done the same in a shelter, and I sure saw the blessings therein for me and my family. I had also done the same for an elderly sister in my ward that was sick. May the Lord continue to put the spirit of service in our minds for us to act upon His promptings.
My friend asked me if I would volunteer to teach in their junior high school without salaries, because it was a private one and did not have many students. This was in 2017/2018 academic school year. A year or two, the worst happened, students left the school for government schools where they do not pay tuition fees, but this school that I give my relentless service had also been approved as a government assisted. I know and believe in the above writing about community service, but this is what I want to add. We should be humbled, and exercise the virtue of being patient as we offer or give our required service if we are to emulate the savior, even Jesus Christ, perhaps receive the blessings that follow. For me, the school authorities are now working with the education ministry officials for teachers’ salaries. Thanks for your write-ups.
Thank you for the update.
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