We woke up this morning to quite a snow storm. We shovelled, and shovelled, and shovelled some more. The snow continued to fall. We had still planned on going to church but received a call that meetings had been canceled. It is the first time that I can ever remember church being canceled, so it was a bit of a disappointment but was understandable as there seemed to be no end in sight of the storm, the roads had not been plowed, and people simply could not get out.
Today’s ad hoc “meetings” were an example of the church in action. Many calls were made to check on home teaching families and to make sure that ward members knew that meetings would not be held. The young men of the ward went around the neighborhood and cleared walks and drives. Neighbor helped neighbor. Much service was given, and many will have sore muscles tomorrow. It is comforting to belong to a church that is also concerned about and is equipped to assist with the physical/temporal welfare of its members.
I was reminded of how events like this seem to unite people and bring out the best in us, at least in terms of serving and caring for one another. I remember 9/11 and how the country came together. Even though most of us were not impacted directly, I can’t remember ever seeing a greater display of patriotism and unity as the country experienced after that terrible event. On a much smaller scale, I see this in my own family- when one member of the family is ill or has some other extraordinary need, we rally around them, and this helps us achieve a greater sense of unity and love. And this is as it should be.
But, I have often wondered, if we are capable of such unselfishness and expressions of love, why do we usually wait for a snowstorm, an illness, or some other tragic event to impel us to action? Certainly those events provide great opportunities to render service in tangible, visible ways, but I believe there are many more opportunities to help others or to show kindness in less visible ways, and for various reasons we may often overlook these types of needs.
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February 5, 2008 at 7:00 am
David T
Jim,
I guess to answer your question, we awake to action more vigilantly and demonstratively when the call is given– be it sickness, death, tragedy, etc. And I’ve got to tell you, it was exhilarating to go out at midnight to sandbag in SLC, and to check on neighbors after the earthquake in L.A. Becoming so engaged in such endeavors can really bring out someone in us we hardly recognize. As for the quiet times, perhaps people are kind in less visible ways and that’s why you’re not seeing it. I hope they wouldn’t feel the need to advertise it. There are little miracles happening all around us every day and if you’re lucky, you become privy to some of them so they make you want to act in kind. Sometimes opportunities are missed, to be sure, but when those do come to our attention, they also send a call to us, to watch out for the next time. I love the movie “Grand Canyon” for just that message: That out there are brothers and sisters beset with inchoate spiritual longings, and they don’t even know it until someone reaches out to them. Keep that introspection, Jim, and you’ll recognize them.
February 5, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Jim
David,
Thanks for your comment. This is why I like blogs- my own perspective is limited, and blogs expose me to other perspectives that I might not consider otherwise.
You are right- much quiet service is rendered that no one except for the giver and the recipient know about. My impression though is that we, in general, have the tendency to be somewhat superficial in our service. There are some that truly care more about another’s needs than their own because this is how they are, and we should all strive to become like this, but I believe these “types” of people are in the minority. Again, I realize that this from my own limited, mostly selfish perspective. The funny thing is, in my opinion, we don’t become cheerful, Christlike givers by trying or by exerting our own will. Would you agree, and if so, how would you say that we do become like this?
About introspection, yes, it has its merits, but ideally, in my opinion, introspection should be balanced with other qualities. In my case, I should probably instrospect a little less and be engaged with others a little more….
I haven’t seen the movie Grand Canyon but will have to check it out. Thanks again for your comments.
March 20, 2008 at 10:25 am
Ray
I wrote this last November, and your post reminded me of it:
Last week, our ward saw some major organizational changes. The Primary Presidency and the Relief Society Presidency were changed – with two new presidents who felt overwhelmed and inadequate, I’m sure. They received no detailed training, except for what they had observed in previous callings. They were given the keys that pertained to their callings (the ones that unlock physical doors) and some printed materials to read, told to talk with the persons they were replacing and thrown into the deep end of the pool – with a command to swim. They weren’t given the option to sink; they simply were promised the ability to swim – even if they had never been taught to swim.
The power of the Church does not reside in its prophets and apostles – although they are necessary to distill the authority under which the real power operates. The power of the Church does not lie in its Presiding Bishopric, its Quorums of the Seventy, its Stake Presidents or its Bishops and Branch Presidents – although the latter men directly oversee and facilitate the exercise of that power. It is found in the hearts and spirits of all of the average, normal, unexceptional men and women who willingly shoulder burdens and responsibilities they can’t carry – and carry them anyway. It is found in the growth experienced by C and L before they were released – the same growth that P and S will recognize whenever they hand over their keys and handbooks to their replacements and pick up whatever burden the Lord has in store for them at that time. Church Headquarters provides vision and unanimity and direction for the body of Christ, but the members of each ward and branch do the leg work that builds the muscles that drive the engine that powers the Church – and in that lies the glory and power of God.
March 20, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Jim
Ray, thanks for your comment. I have previously been a little critical at the lack of training that often accompanies a new calling. But, as I think about what you have written, in many cases, there are so many variables that you really cannot fully train someone to make a seemless transition. There always will be a learning curve, but I believe in the statement that “whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies” too. I think if we rely on our own abilities, we will probably do an adequate job, but if we rely on the Lord, we can work miracles and bless others in our service.
I like the word picture you paint of HQ providing vision and direction for the body of Christ and individuals members doing the leg work and building the muscles that drive the Church forward. It’s easy to think that what we do or do not do is insignificant, but as you point out, the Church really is only as strong as the individual members, and I think the little things that we do have a bigger impact than we realize.