Today, I would like to share with you a personal experience and testify of ministering. Throughout His life, the Savior ministered to others. I have come to realize that as we love and serve one another, we are following the example of Jesus Christ and ministering as He did. It is really that simple.
The occasion I’m about to relate was actually quite recent—a couple of weeks ago, as I remember.
I got up early in preparation for church. I completed my morning rituals. As I shuffled around the house, it became apparent that there was more to do than expected. I noticed that it was snowing outside and the walks and driveway needed shoveling.
I put my work clothes on and gathered up my hat and gloves. When I sat down on the garage steps to lace up my boots, I heard some scraping outside but didn’t think anything of it. Then I opened my garage door, and to my surprise, an angel had already shoveled my walks and driveway.
Before I could properly thank this person for his gift, he was already onto the next driveway.
“A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand,
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand.”
These acts of ministering need not be tremendous in size, but they come from the heart when we try to follow the example of the Redeemer, and often come as answers to our prayers.
Jesus Christ lights our way and gives us hope.
As we minister, we stand as representatives of Him and are showered with strength, blessings, and guidance. Priesthood power is essential and never ornamental.
Like missionaries, we exemplify Him as we serve those around us and further the efforts of his Church and the Lord’s work throughout the world. We are His hands.
Christ shows us how to live and teaches us how to minister in His name. When we follow Him, we are guided by the Spirit.
My daughter and her husband recently moved back to Utah. I was talking to her about ministering and she said how she appreciated being able to minister to somebody in her own situation. She’s a new mother and has a year-and-a-half-old boy. Her ministering sister is another mom with two children. They would get together and just visit and let the children play. That’s what she needed and appreciated at the time.
Friends may betray us, spouses may leave us, health may fail, and our possessions burn up. But Christ, His promises, understanding, and love will never fail us.
I will stand as a witness that Christ is divine, has risen from the dead, and out of His love for us, has overcome every barrier to our return to Heavenly Father. As we minister, we represent Him.
King Benjamin taught that we are and will always be indebted to God.
Jesus Christ paid a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.
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As we fulfill our ministering assignments, we find true joy in serving our fellowmen. We help and sustain others in their lives and, on occasion, during stressful situations and difficult times. Our attitude can be that we are doing what the Savior would do if He were here under these circumstances. That attitude and response blesses everyone involved, starting with ourselves. Though the primary intent of ministering is helping others, we often are refined and edified as well.
We may not wear a badge like missionaries do, but we are His army.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “As you exercise faith in the Lord and His priesthood power, your ability to draw upon this spiritual treasure that the Lord has made available will increase.” As we minister to others, we honor Him.
It will change your life.
In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life's challenges is his panacea.
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