Cancer isn't the only difficulty in my life--I'm no different from anyone else--there are always trials, temptations, usually more than just one once in a while! Recently when I was feeling under-loved and over-corrected I read Elder Christofferson's April 2013 conference talk. He mentioned how Christ came to minister, not to be ministered TO. I wrote: Christ was serving, blessing, helping, being kind, generous, helpful His whole life, but He wasn't receiving it back. He was reviled rather than appreciated, persecuted not thanked. No one was serving HIM. If I want to truly follow the Master, then my focus will be on serving and loving, not on appreciation of my efforts. Forget appreciation! If it comes, well then, lucky me! If it doesn't, it doesn't matter. God knows my efforts and my heart, He's the One I want to please. It helped me to know that Christ really knows my pain, He lived His life feeling it. The scriptures teach He suffered all things so He would know how to succor us in our pain and sorrows.
During the sacrament, these words flashed quietly through my heart, 'He ministers NOW too'. It isn't just that He ministered to people 2000 years ago, but He continues to minister, and He ministers to ME--one person--not just to Jarius or the woman at the well, but to Karin Cochran, who has cancer and other issues. He can and will and wants to bless, strengthen, teach and lift and love ME! So then I have to ask, do I show appropriate gratitude and love back to him? And will I in turn minister to others...ie to Him in reality.
No comments:
Post a Comment