My junior year in high school I had to participate in an essay competition if wanted to be in an honors government class the next year. I had looked forward to being a part of that class since my freshman year. I worked hard, kept my grades up, and I was in the top of my class. Now all I had to do was write an essay.
I had to answer the question, “What is the biggest problem America faces today and what is the solution?”
I put my heart into my answer and I guess that was my first mistake. When it came to politics my teacher didn’t want heart to be a part of the answer. I was devastated to find out that I was rejected for the class. At that age I thought it was the end of the world, mostly because I wouldn’t get to go to Washington DC with my friends. I’m happy to say I survived the tragic experience. As I quizzed my peers to see what they had written about I saw a common theme and realized why I wasn’t chosen. They all wrote about different problems the government needed to fix. I guess that makes sense with it being a government class and all.
My take on things was a bit different. I believed that one of our biggest problems was that people were waiting for the government to fix things without realizing that real power for change comes from within our own homes and what we choose to do as individuals.
Looking back I wouldn’t change a thing about my essay even if it would have gotten me into the class because I still believe that what I wrote is true. I also believe the solution I gave is the best there is. Yes, I was such a wise 16-year-old. Don’t all 16 year olds know everything? Curious what my solution was?
It is the only thing that is so simple we often look right past it as THE solution. It is the how and why of the very ground we walk on and air we breath. It is the reason this earth was created how we are standing here today. It is in that name people are afraid to say because, “what if it isn’t politically correct?” or, “what if I offend someone?”
The solution is in GOD. “In God we Trust”, or do we? It doesn’t stop there though.
If you know God, then you know God is love.
If you know love, then you know love is service.
“All you need is love.” We’ve been told this in songs, inspiring sermons and cute IG quotes. You may even been saying “I knew that.” BUT really, how often do we step back from our busy lives to ASK FOR and HEAR that quiet voice telling us something good we could do for someone else and act on it?
Maybe it was this morning or maybe you can’t remember the last time.
Maybe you were about to but then you remembered how stressed out/tired/busy/depressed you are and, “Will my small act really make any difference?”
“Maybe I’ll just share that inspiring FB quote and I’ve done my good.”
“Someone else will do something I’m sure.”
“_______ has never done anything nice for me.”
“They are the ones that got themselves into this mess, why should I help? I’ve got my own problems to deal with.”
Just as a side note in case you are sitting there thinking I must be perfect example of never-ending service, yeah, the reason it is so easy for me to rattle off these questions is because I’ve asked them myself. I do love to serve but, let’s face it, it sure can be easier to be selfish.
It is amazing how around Christmas time our hearts are softened and we stop questioning whether we should do something kind or not. We start thinking more of what we could do for someone else. People start filling up with the Spirit of CHRISTmas and it is contagious. I’m not the first to wonder, “What if we all kept our minds on who we could serve year round?” Surely December isn’t the only month out of the year that there are people who need our help and a little extra love. Somehow, as December passes so does the eager desire to find someone to serve. We begin to wonder again, “What difference will my small act of kindness really make?”
Well, how about this thought? I first heard it from one of my favorite speakers, Elder Russell M. Ballard.
Did you know the contribution of one honeybee in its lifetime is only 1/12-1/8 of a teaspoon of honey? That is pathetic, almost nothing. The bee should just give up right? What is the point of 1/8 of a teaspoon? That won’t even cover a corner of my peanut butter honey sandwich! I’ll tell you what the point of 1/8 of a teaspoon is! It is the 60-100 lbs of honey produced by one bee colony working together over one year.
It is amazing what happens when everyone does their part no matter how seemingly small. Almost seems miraculous.
We question that love and service can actually be the answer because all we see in the news is another heartbreaking crime carried out. What we can’t see, and what I believe would astonish us, is the crimes that never happened, the evil acts that were never carried out, the lives that were never ended because somewhere along the line, love and service intervened. You could have even been a part of it and you’d never know.
We not only need to believe in the power we have in us but we need to act on it every day. This is the key to fixing the problems that feel out of our control.
Imagine if we all stopped looking at the faults in ourselves and others and started seeing the talents and gifts.
Imagine if we believed in our own capability to make a difference .
Imagine if we started having faith that good will win and stopped giving energy to evil.
Imagine if we prayed for something simple we could do every day to lift someone.
Recognize the small miracles in your life. Acknowledge and be grateful when someone is the good you needed that day. Get on your knees, ask what YOU can do, listen to the good thoughts that come to your mind each day, get up and do it! Will you try it? Will you ask? Will you listen? Will you act? Let’s Light The World one good deed at a time. Miracles will follow.
“…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.” Moroni 7:48, Book of Mormon
