The concept of walking a path of service reminds me of the words of the Universal House of Justice "That the path belongs to the community and one tread the path in the company of others, and individual volition is necessary and it entails pain and sacrifice...."
This whole idea of walking a path reminds me of the village scenario where you see a narrow path that belongs to the community. This narrow belongs to the community and everyone is free and allowed to walk the path. And as you progress on this path it leads you to a different horizon either a market or clinic. Again, the fun part is when you are walking this path with your friends together talking and eating some nuts.
All of us want to see the world become a better place. We look forward to a future when universal peace has been established and the human family lives in harmony. Such a future is not a dream and can be built as more and more of us exert effort to contribute to the betterment of the world. Deep in our hearts each of us has the desire to serve our communities. What we need is to develop our capacity to undertake selfless acts of service for the common good.
We can think about our service to humanity by imagining a path of service on which we walk together. This path is open to all. We each choose to enter it, and we advance on it at our own pace. We do not walk this path alone, we serve alongside our friends, learning together and accompanying one another. Every step we take generates joy and assurance, and every effort we make brings divine confirmations.
The Junior youths and youths are key in walking the path of service because they are young and filled with energy. They are also filled with great enthusiasm. These youngsters are concerned with the plight of humanity and would like to see real change can manifest in society.
Again, the subject of coherence is very important which implies that in our personal lives we should view the field of education, work, friends, and family as one. Life becomes more complex as we grow older. Responsibilities keep on increasing as one advance in age.
It seems a lot of expectations are crop up in different domains of life and it becomes so overwhelming. The following quotations could be so relieving if we find ourselves in such a situation.
"Man's life has its springtime and is endowed with marvelous glory. The period of youth is characterized by strength and vigor and stands out as the choicest time in human life."
Walking a path of service is not something we just add to our lives, it brings meaning to everything we do. Service to the community helps us to understand better the purpose of our education, our family, to clarify our thoughts about the future, to develop the qualities we need to contribute to the well-being of our families. It strengthens our friendships. It keeps us from dissipating our energies on trivial pursuits.
It is interesting to know that many young people around the world in communities like every other community are realizing that their energies can be directed by a twofold purpose: to take charge of their intellectual and spiritual growth and to contribute to the transformation of society.
These two aspects of our purpose are interconnected. As we develop our capabilities, we are better able to serve others, and in helping one another, we grow as individuals and strengthen the qualities we possess.
And in thinking about our contributions to the transformation of society helps recollect the conversation between Alejandra and Beatrice in the Sanchez family in the institute book titled Arising to serve in the Ruhi book 2.
Below extract from the conversation between Alejandra, Beatrice, and the Sanchez family:
Transforming a world of violence, poverty, and suffering into a world of peace, prosperity, and harmony. And we must consider both material and spiritual progress for all people will not be attained if we do not make spiritual progress as well. Only if these two go hand in hand with the betterment of the world be achieved.
