Be Willing to Serve

 

Feeling Distant from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Here Are 5 Ways to Close the Gap

By Sister Tamara W. Runia

First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

1. Be Willing to Serve

When I was a college freshman, I was called to teach Relief Society. I hadn’t done anything like this before. I struggled to make time to prepare.

There were some Sunday mornings when I would call the counselor I served with and say, “I didn’t have time to look at the lesson, so I won’t be able to come teach today.” And I just wouldn’t go.

At the end of the semester, a member of the bishopric met with me and said, “We’re making adjustments in some of the positions in the ward, and we’re releasing you.”

I know we don’t get fired from our callings, but in that moment, it felt a lot like getting fired to me.

And I knew exactly why. This calling had come through inspiration to someone who felt like I could serve, and I’d let them down—the Relief Society presidency, the bishopric, and most of all, the Lord.

That calling had been an opportunity to feel a sense of purpose, to belong to something bigger than myself, and to feel closer to God at that time in life, but I hadn’t seen that.

I have not been perfect, but ever since that experience, I’ve tried to serve with my whole heart in the callings and assignments I’ve been given. When we have a willingness to serve others with love, it’s one of many ways we can feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.