Service is an interesting and integral part of this life. To fulfill our purpose here we must serve and be served. For the first seven or eight years of life we are essentially helpless, relying completely upon our parents and their service to make sure we are fed, clothed, and cared for. For the rest of our lives, we are totally reliant on the savior to cleanse us and allow us to become whole and eventually reach the potential which we are capable of. Throughout various other times we find ourselves in physical, spiritual, fiscal, or other need, and at those points in our lives, we are in need of the service of people around us. There is truly no way to escape it.
On the other hand, we must serve and give our time and effort to others to properly develop the attributes that we are on this earth to gain. Looking again to the life of the savior, he taught us that the most important thing to do is love God, then to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we truly love those around us, it is natural to do things that will help them.
It has been said that we care most about that for which we sacrifice the most. I think that resonates for anyone that has spent any dedicated time volunteering in any cause. It is as if we literally invest part of our lives into the success of that person or cause or whatever. The more time we spend without any expected reward, the more we show our dedication, and the longer it lasts, the more we have emotionally (and physically) invested. That is why attitudes change and lives improve for both those giving and receiving in service situations.
Ultimately, it is up to us how we choose to serve. Are we givers or do we simply take? Do we have the happiness of those around us engrained into our own happiness, or do we live our lives selfishly? Whatever our motivations for beginning to serve, whether it is out of some sense of obligation or duty, or born out of love for others, let it work inside until it evolves into a deep love for those whom you serve and give your time. With that, we can all progress and become more Christlike and step closer to the perfection for which we have been encouraged to strive.
yservebyu.wordpress.com 