A Servant of Jesus Christ

It’s another one of those hot days. You jump in the car and have to turn up the AC just a little bit more. The humidity is perfect and the sun is up, leaving the world at 70 degrees. You wonder what it’s like to be cold, and sometimes you wonder what it’s like to be hot and to sweat. You wear short sleeves all day and think that it is tiring just to walk from one house to another. Usually the car does all the work for you.

Many people are already Christian and are just missing one little piece of the puzzle. Others are wondering if there even is a puzzle. Some are Jews and some don’t understand English. Many go to Mariners church just down the road from the “Mormon church with the gold statue on top.” After all, why go to an LDS service when you can go to church to socialize, eat doughnuts, listen to the rock band, and maybe even do some skating at the indoor skate park at Mariners?

Or isn’t money a good enough God? After all, I have all I need in life to be happy…so they say. Doesn’t a huge house by the beach, a beamer in the driveway, and a little partying every now and then when you’re not working equal happiness? But we respect what you do, they say, and good luck, though they offer none to you.

So you get back in the car and drive to the next house…but they are too busy at work to be at home to greet you. So you knock more doors, though there aren’t many who are interested or kind enough to honestly say they aren’t.

Then you finally go to an appointment and your companion speaks with such power that the spirit flows through you and energizes you. You speak and you realize the words you say were not what you at first intended. It seems almost as if the spirit is using your mouth to speak its own words, and you don’t resist. After all—if ye have not the spirit, ye shall not teach. D&C 42

You then go to a dinner appointment and marvel at the strength and conviction of the members as well as their unfailing generosity and kindness. They come with you to lessons and teach things only experience can bring.

You teach another lesson, or strengthen more members—always leaving a commitment and a feeling in their heart that only could come from some loving Father above. The truths touch your own heart as you recount how they have influenced and guided your life.

They realize what you have is precious. And they commit themselves to change. You see their hearts and lives take different form and meaning. And finally, they take the first step of covenant and happiness—and you realize you had nothing to do with the change. For you are only an object to bring the truth. An instrument that only the spirit can play with that master touch. One who only has success by miracles and being guided by someone more powerful. For he shows you what to do and where to go and especially what to say.

And you realize you are happy. For what can bring happiness except service and a loving family back at home? For giving is not giving. Giving is receiving. And the more you give, the more you receive and you know your debt can not be paid.

But Christ died for us all and did so out of Charity. He has bought us with a price and we are His. For He has engraved us on His hands and feet. We are not our own so our lives must be in His service. We know the precious pearls we have and we want to share them with all the world. For Charity seeketh not her own, but rejoiceth in the truth. Moroni 7:45-48 Without Charity, I am nothing.

For God seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Therefore, I will waste and wear out my life in the service of others, for when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing. As to my strength I am weak. Therefore, I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things. Yes it’s true, I am a servant of Jesus Christ.

Love,
Elder Curtis