January 18, 2014
When our week at the MTC was accomplished----and I say accomplished because we felt like we had really done something by just surviving---we had to sit back and let the whole experience sink in. What had we gleaned from our time there? Kernals of remembrance pop up continually as we go thru our days, but for this moment, I want to remember this list of three things:
1) Share the truth and it will be evident to those who are looking for it through the Spirit.
When I was a young mother with children, but no idea how to parent them, I read vociferously on the subject. There were ideas and theories and studies and the experiences of other parents and on and on. Questions of which way to turn and who to listen to arose with all the different voices. As situations developed in our home, I would find that particular ideas from this myriad of reading would come to mind and I could apply them for good in a certain situation. These ideas I deemed eternal truths. Truth is non-negotiable, never changing, consistently positive, and always beneficial. When someone is seeking truth they will recognize it when they hear it. Our opportunity is to share. The opportunity to recognize and act belongs to the hearer. This is significant to me because it makes my role as a missionary clear. I am not responsible for anything other than sharing the love of Jesus Christ with anyone in need. The Spirit will illuminate truth to the hearts and minds of those who seek.
2) Supporting and serving those around us is doing what the Savior would do if he was here.
As mature individuals in age and experience, life has afforded many positions of leadership and supervision and "being in charge" as it were. In the world, these kinds of roles are equated with desirable station, success, higher pay, recognition, etc. In fact we come to expect that this is our normal. In the Lord's society, there is no hierarchy. Acting in the Savior's stead allows us to respond to need as it exists. Supporting and serving those around us is critical to the happiness and success of all. When we received our assignment for our mission, we had no idea exactly how to proceed. Within a few days, we began to receive emails, phone calls, airline tickets, etc. providing us with the support we needed to move forward. All of this was extended to us by others who were also serving as missionaries. Others who were dedicating their time to serving others. We would began to experience the joy and enjoyment of serving others without the encumberment of "the world".
3) But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 1 Corinthians 7:7. Sharing talents and strengths we possess fills the needs of those around us. Our perspective shifted to view our time of service as an opportunity to work the Lord's plan of community. He has provided everyone with gifts and talents. His purpose in this was to assure that as we as humans work together, every need can be satisfied----something like the cogs in a gear. We don't have to be all things to all people in all circumstances. It's not about us. It is about the sharing of many for the good of the individual. As individuals are served the community becomes whole. Consequently, we don't have to worry as we embark on this mission of service. What ever we can do will be enough because there will always be others who are strong where we are lacking. There will always be the Savior's grace to fill the gaps.
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