Discipleship: Following in the Savior's Footsteps

It may seem like a strange goal in life, but I want to fade into the background. I’m not one who honestly enjoys being in the public eye, on the other hand I love watching my work make someone happy. My favorite place to be is in the background, quietly finding all the little things I can to do help the project along, whatever it may be. That’s my favorite place in the gospel as well.

There is a song I was introduced to many years ago that talks about becoming someone who reflected God’s love so well that those around couldn’t see beyond the glow. It was an honest prayer to live a life that testifies of Christ and draws people to Him. That’s the life I want. I want to be the person in the scriptures who only has one line, but provides a little bit of help or knowledge that leads to greater things. I want to be the man who offered his upper room for Passover; the same upper room that would see Christ administer the sacrament for the first time. Or, the one who offered his tomb. I want to be Rhoda, who happily announces the presence of a prophet whether she is believed or not. Or Lydia, who worshiped God with an open heart. I admire Eunice and Lois, the mother and grandmother of Timothy. Eunice’s letter to her son Timothy contains some of the most quoted scriptures among disciples of Jesus Christ. Though they bring us great faith and courage, we often associate them with the prophet Timothy, not his mother. What are these famous words?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, . . . 2 Timothy 1:7-8

These are the types of people I admire. I want to be that quiet force for good, the one who gives the council no one really remembers where it came from, but pass on to others around them. I want those around me to truly see Christ in me. I want to radiate His goodness and my love for Him. I don’t mind staying out of the limelight, because that’s where I can do the most good as a disciple of Christ.

The desire of a disciple’s heart is to be of service, to express love for the Savior in every aspect of our lives. That role is not the same for everyone, but each undertaking is an important part of His gospel. Find your role, the place where Christ most needs you to be. Whether great or small, embrace the tasks God gives you and let Him work through you. Take the council of Eunice to heart and let God’s power, love and thoughts work through you as you proudly share a testimony of the Savior. Try fading into the background and letting Christ have the starring role.

I don’t know about you, but as a parent I have selective hearing. I’ve honed my ability to tune out whining and minimal bickering as well as pleas for candy in the grocery store. I’m normally very easily distracted, so even on other tasks I’ve trained myself to stay very focused or the job will go undone.

But, in this process it becomes very easy to just stop noticing things at all. There have been many times I’ve walked down the halls at church or even in the grocery store and not even noticed that someone said high or smiled at me until they’re long gone and the message finally makes it through all my carefully placed filters. Though I have perfected the ability to screen input, I haven’t perfected it as well as the Savior did. For Him it did not matter how busy He was or what the task at hand was, when there was a need, He saw it.

I need to be a little more like that at times. With so much sorrow, hurt and pain in the world perhaps I’m screening out more than I should be. I’m missing opportunities to ease those burdens that I run across on my path of life.

Though there are many things of the world I don’t need to concern myself with, but my fellow man will never be one of them. I need to become more aware, to open my eyes and ears more often and do my best to spread a little more joy and praise than I do now. I should never become so focused on my own life or goals that I don’t see someone smiling at me and not smile back. I should structure my life and time so that I can be the one to share the first smile more than I am now.

As a line from a children’s movie puts it, the disciple’s goal should be to “See a need. Fill a need.”

One of the most difficult things for many of us is knowing how to act around those facing major life trials. We worry that our actions or words will bring pain instead of relief. We worry that we will be uncomfortable and that they will be able to feel that. Sometimes, these worries cause us to avoid our hurting friends when they could use us the most, simply because we don’t know what to say.

Don’t be afraid to approach someone, but keep your condolences and well-wishes short and heart felt. “I'm sorry”, “I'd like to help”, “You look nice today” and “How are you” go a lot farther in providing comfort than phrases that begin with “At least it wasn't”, “You will receive blessings from”, “Be grateful for” or any other thought that reflects our own judgments on the situation. Even if you feel the person holds the same beliefs, or has said these words out loud in the past, they may not hold true at the moment. These statements tell the person you expect them to feel or be a certain way. When they are hurting they have no extra energy for meeting other's perceived expectations.

Remember, that often one of the best things you can do doesn’t require you to know what to say at all. Most often it is your quiet presence, not the words you offer that make the biggest difference. Listen, be extremely non-judgmental, laugh and cry with them, hold a hand, give a hug, give them your time and your love. Avoid saying you know exactly how they feel, even if you've had a similar experience we are all still very unique individuals. Don’t offer unsolicited advice or solutions.

When in doubt, the most powerful words in the human language are “I love you.” Couple that with a hug or a firm handshake and you’ve given the most of the Lord’s peace and comfort that you can offer.

There are things we do because we have to, things we do because we are expected to, and things we do because we want to. Where does service fall in this continuum? Sometimes, I think, it happens because of all three.

When we are facing difficult challenges in our lives, or are in desperate need of a blessing from God it is appropriate to reach out to others. We give a piece of ourselves away, because we are asking the Lord to fill an even larger void. It may be a “have to” for us. We may give up the bonus check we’d been counting on so that a child can get braces to help them feel better about themselves. There are plenty of reasons service can occasionally be a “have to”.

Sometimes service comes from an expectation. Our friend calls with a need and we help, not necessarily because we have the time or feel a significant inner pull to do so, but because someone is counting on us.

In the best instances, we do it because we want to. We do it out of love.

Often, our motivations can change mid-stream. Beginning may have purely selfish motives, but the service softens and transforms our heart. No matter how it starts, service can be some of the sweetest experiences we will have on this earth. Those are the times we should seek out. When service comes from our very souls and we begin to understand the unconditional love of the Savior. We become more like Him.

So, the question becomes: how can we strive for this type of service more often? How do we draw closer to Him by reaching out to our fellow man?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an organization made up of volunteers, so there are a lot of opportunities to serve others within the church. Though this is not the only place we choose to volunteer, it generally offers ample and frequent opportunities to forget ourselves and serve the Lord. When we are asked by our leaders to fulfill some responsibility within the church it is generally referred to as receiving a calling, or in other words God is extending a call for us to serve Him.

Sometimes it’s something that seems small and easy for us to accomplish. Other times it seems to be something far beyond our capabilities. In any case, the most crucial part of accepting a call is confirming with the Lord, why He has chosen you to serve. The reasons behind our service can run the gamut of intentions, just like any other act of kindness. But, it’s always best if we turn ourselves over to the Lord, place ourselves in His hands and ask Him to help us do what He has asked.

No matter the task, when we invite the Lord into our heart and soul it will always end up being a service of love that draws us closer to the Savior. No matter the opportunity, place the Lord and the other person above yourself. Find out from Him how best to be His instrument. Then tune your spirit to listen for His guidance. The Savior’s love will flow through your soul and touch the heart of another. You’ll both grow in His love. And that’s what discipleship is all about.

It seems we don’t have to look far in today’s world to find heartbreaking examples of hatred, greed, prejudice and pain. Why is this? How has our world become so self-centered that we can not look beyond ourselves and see how our actions might affect someone else? How have we become so caught up in making ends meet, getting from one place to another, and reaching the end of our daily chore list that we’ve forgotten the value of a kind word, of holding a door for a stranger, of wiping the tears of a crying child?

Charity is kind. The love of Christ is abounding with kindness for those He served while He was on the earth for how He values and serves each of us. He needs our hands to share that love with others around us. When we show kindness we show His love and help heal a hurting heart so that it can recognize the hand of the Savior in their life. It’s the most beautiful gift we can give. It’s often the most easily put aside.

We each carry so many heartaches and burdens that it seems an additional burden rather than a blessing to reach out to someone else. Yet, if we can take that initial step, His promise is that our own burdens will be made lighter. When we make room for compassion and kindness in our lives and hearts we are making room for more of the Savior’s love.

Opportunities for kindness are all around us everyday. Often, they’re closer to home than we think. I have a nasty habit I learned from my mother. I call it my stranger voice. You see, it never mattered how much I was being scolded and yelled at, when the telephone rang my mother’s tone changed instantly. She was nice, she was polite. She was a totally different creature than the one who had just been grounding me for not cleaning my room. Yes, I am guilty of the same thing. No matter my true thoughts and feelings, no matter how bad the day is going, I can put on my stranger voice and face at a moments notice. My husband thinks I have a split personality. It’s something I need to work on. Really, who most needs my kindness and love but my family who I value over anything else. In reality, who is also most likely to see sides of us we’d rather not let others, who matter less to us, know about. I don’t think that is the way the Lord intended for us to be. Often times, kindness needs to begin at home.

Unkind words and deeds seem to have a way of snowballing. It can start as something very small, but once that spirit of contention is introduced it seems to take on a life of its own. I think the reverse is true as well. Today, just for today, make a goal to spread a little more kindness and see where it rolls.

To get us started on a renewed goal of kindness to everyone around us I’ve included a few of my favorite quotes I ran across while researching this blog.

“One who is kind is sympathetic and gentle with others. . . He is considerate of others’ feelings and courteous in his behavior. He has a helpful nature. Kindness pardons others’ weaknesses and faults [and] is extended to all—to the aged and the young, to animals, to those low of station as well as the high.” President Ezra Taft Benson

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“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” James 1:19.

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“There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.” Gordon B. Hinckley

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“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes… The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.” Joseph B. Wirthlin

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27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy loke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and blend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:27-38

My daughter went with a group of her friends to sing carols at a local nursing home this evening. I appreciate her willingness to serve others in this manner. I also appreciate that not every one of us can do exactly what she is doing. Perhaps there is one girl in the group who sings with gusto, though the notes are off-key. Perhaps there is another who is too shy to sing but hangs back and holds the hand of a nearby resident. Perhaps there is another who baked cookies to share with those they are visiting. No matter what they bring to the mix each girl is capable of great good.

Every individual is given different blessings and talents. With those blessings comes the responsibility, and additional blessings, related to sharing them with others. When we share our talents we uplift and bless the lives around us. We share the light of Christ within us in a manner that the other person’s spirit can be touched by it.

In the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:12-30, each servant is entrusted with a specific set of talents. He is charged with their care. The master did not specify what that care should entail; he simply bestowed the gift and allowed the servants to choose their path. Some chose more wisely than others and were rewarded accordingly.

It may not always be easy to identify our talents immediately, but we have each been blessed with a measure of them from Heavenly Father. That is why I would encourage you to look back at the example of the girls at the nursing home. Searching for talents can feel fruitless if we are searching for them with the wrong intent.

Talents are given to us to glorify Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they are given to us as a means of blessing the lives of others, for becoming more like the Savior through our actions, not to seek out the prestige and honor of the world. Thus, many valuable talents, such as reaching out to hold a hand, are overlooked while we search for something more grand and public.

Concentrate on the types of service opportunities you see around you everyday. What unique ability or insight can you bring to the situation? When we seek to serve first, we will find our abilities matched to the need. As we serve we discover our divine talents, we expand and develop them. We obtain further abilities.

So, the next time the master leaves you with a small token of your value to Him, use it wisely. Find the ways He would have you share that blessing with those around you and watch love grow.