“More used would I be,”(“More Holiness Give Me”, Phillip Paul Bliss). Like most things in life, we will not be perfect servants of the Lord on our very first try. It is easier and more immediately satisfying to be selfish rather than selfless, lazy rather than diligent, doubtful rather than trusting, fearful rather than faithful. When first we serve we will most likely fall into resentful murmuring, giving only a begrudging and halfhearted effort, overly concerned that we may be asked to do more than our fair share or even the bare minimum, always looking for the shortcut or the quick getaway. We will be less than vigilant when judging and unkind thoughts creep into our hearts, envy and jealousy strangling any burgeoning feelings of charity and compassion. Why don't they do this for themselves? Is this really the kind of person that deserves my help? Why can't anyone ever serve me like this? However, if we will only stick to it and work out some of the kinks in our attitude and our approach to service, and above all if we will pray that we may be filled with charity and the pure love of Christ, then little by little our hearts will soften and our perspective will shift and we will see ourselves and those we serve with our Heavenly Father's eyes. We will no longer dread our opportunities to serve but will seek them out. We will go from being afraid that we are being taken advantage of and used to being again of not being used and having to sit idle with no one to bless and uplift. “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.” (Mosiah 28:3). There is a deep seated desire inside each of us to be useful - useful to ourselves, to each other, and to God. The more and more we become like our Savior Jesus Christ, the more we will desire and seek out and create opportunities for us to be used in building up the Kingdom of God, proclaiming the gospel, redeeming the dead, perfecting the saints, and ushering in the glorious return of our Savior Jesus Christ.
