Ministering
August 20-26, 2018
This week I continued my gospel study by focusing on ministering
or being a minister. My ‘deal’ seems to be going well so far. The first week of
school was crazy. Soooooo much work, non-stop classes and work, every single
day. It felt impossible to keep up. But it all worked out. Let’s just say the
schedule for first year law students is no joke. We really have been spending
50+ hours a week at school or studying for school. I feel like I’ve done more
homework in the last week than in my entire undergraduate.
Luckily, we have amazing people in our 1L group, it
seems like we’ve all really clicked and everyone has been so supportive of each
other and incredibly nice. Seriously, our classes are awesome because of the
people and everyone is constantly reaching out to each other on what is coming
up next or how they interpreted different things and so no one has really been
left in the hot seat without something to share. It’s easy to look forward to
the rest of the semester with everyone.
Class of 2021 - SIU Law School (Below) Me and Taylor and Marissa (8/24/2018)
Back on topic. Ministering. This week I wanted to study about what it really means to be a minister, or what ministering really includes and entails. Partly because of the recent change at church, but mostly because I want to better understand what that meant before the change to see what examples there are on how to maximize the opportunities and calling.
Last week as
part of that talk I read and learned about ministering angels, those who do the
work of Heavenly Father to fulfill the blessings, guidance support, etc. as we
fulfill the covenants we make with Him. Of course, the most perfect example is
the Savior. The bible tells us that he came to minister not to be ministered to
(Matt. 20:28). During His life, it is documented, that where ever He went, and
whom ever He met along the way He reached out to them. But more importantly, He
reached out to them individually.
He didn’t give the advice to the young rich follower that he
gave to the widows or the woman found in adultery. Each person was given what
they most needed, but always they were given love.
The neat thing about the New Testament in the bible is that
it is all about ministering. The Savior ministering to the people and His
twelve apostles and then the Twelve Apostles ministering to the people after
the Savior has gone. As the Twelve minister to the people they teach them the
gospel and they teach them to minister to each other. To serve and to keep the
commandments, the greatest of which is to Love the Lord and to love each other.
Amazing examples.
One scripture I really enjoyed related to these examples is Ephesians
4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which
is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
I love that thought, that the things we say to those around us might minister grace unto the hearers. What an impact that would on the world if everyone followed this advice.“…there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” (4 Nephi 1:15)
Comments
Love, Mom