In the Service of the Savior

In the song I’m Trying to Be like Jesus I specifically love the line in the second verse-

“I’m trying to love my neighbor; I’m learning to serve my friends.” (Children's Song, #78)

The love that Christ has for each of us is ever present in the love others show us and the love we show through service of our own. In “trying to be like Jesus” we help to accomplish and further his work.

In the June 2010 Ensign Alison Palmer wrote,

 “Accepting service and giving service back lightens our own load, and, in turn, lifts those who serve us. Everyone is blessed as we strive to listen to the Spirit and do things as the Lord would have us do them.” ("Accepting and Giving Service," Ensign, June 2010)

Letting people serve you gives them the chance to be Christ-like, if we do not allow others to help us, we are depriving them of the opportunity to be a tool in the hands of the Savior and we are not giving ourselves the chance to humbly acknowledge the hand of the Lord expressed through the love of others. 

To further address this, M. Russell Ballard says, 

"It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service—the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.

When this pure love of Christ—or charity—envelops us, we think, feel, and act more like Heavenly Father and Jesus would think, feel, and act. Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior. He shared this desire with His Apostles on the eve of His Crucifixion. He said:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. …

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35).

The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service.

There are myriad ways and circumstances in which we can serve and love others." (Finding Joy through Loving Service, April 2011 General Conference)

As I read and studied this song I was eager to serve. I wanted to be as “like Jesus” as possible by serving. But, due an accident I've recently been in, I am now extremely limited in my capacity to help even myself, let alone anyone else. So, in an attempt to do all that I can, I have been observing and doing my best to show gratitude for those around me that are striving to “be like Jesus.”  I have watched numerous doors be opened without a second thought and seen a touching eagerness to help in my new roommates. Just this morning one of them graciously helped me pull back my hair. It is humbling to have to accept help for a task you have, in the past, so easily done for yourself. It creates an appreciation for what you have, had and what is currently being given to you. In developing an appreciation for the things you have you draw closer to the Lord, expanding your ability to feel the spirit and, in turn, recognize how to better serve. What a beautiful circle of Christ-like love.

We must follow in the footsteps of the Savoir; we must learn of him, understand him and use his atonement in our daily lives. The closer we draw to Christ, the more we spend time with him, the greater his influence in our lives will be. Like living with roommates and family members, we pick up the habits- good and bad- of those with whom we spend the most time. If we diligently surround ourselves with the things of the Savior, we will slowly but surely develop his habits- serving more effectively, teaching and learning better, and loving deeper. 

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”(Mosiah 7:48)

 I have heard my whole life that “you love those you serve” but it is only until recently that I have come to realize that if you acknowledge with gratitude the service being given, you love those who serve you. How then, can our hearts not be constantly filled with love for the Savior?

Elisabeth