At the same time we must be sensitive to the fact that Bahá’í artists may sometimes feel outside the mainstream of community life because they are unsure as to what form their service might take. They may feel their contributions are not valued if service to the Faith tends to be equated only with serving on committees or Assemblies. (letter from the International Teaching Centre addressed to the Continental Counsellors, date unknown)
Most of my service to the Faith is done online, through this blog and my books, and through interactions with my readers and not at the level of my (inactive, pre-milestone one cluster). It’s easy for me to beat myself up for not serving in the “right” way, especially when the statistics officer calls and wants to know which core activities are happening. This quote really brought comfort to my heart, hearing this from an Institution of the Faith, even if it’s not “authoritative”, I can’t find the date and I can’t find it online.
Then I came across this “new” definition of service, which I’d never seen before, and which takes all the pressure off my concerns about not serving at the cluster level. Here’s the quote:
…every aspect of a person’s life is an element of his or her service to Baha’u’llah: the love and respect one has for one’s parents; the pursuit of one’s education; the nurturing of good health; the acquiring of a trade or profession; one’s behavior towards others and the upholding of a high moral standard; one’s marriage and the bringing up of one’s children; one’s activities in teaching the Faith and the building up the strength of the Baha’i community, whether this be in such simple matters as attending the Nineteen Day Feast or the observance of Baha’i Holy Days, or in more demanding tasks required by service in the administration of the Faith; and, not least, to take time each day to read the Writings and say the Obligatory Prayer, which are the source of growing spiritual strength, understanding, and attachment to God. (The Universal House of Justice, December 7, 1992, European Baha’i Youth Council)
Here are the 12 elements of service embedded in this quote:
Service to Bahá’u’lláh includes:
- the love and respect one has for one’s parents
- the pursuit of one’s education
- the nurturing of good health
- the acquiring of a trade or profession
- one’s behavior towards others
- the upholding of a high moral standard
- one’s marriage
- the bringing up of one’s children
- one’s activities in teaching the Faith
- building up the strength of the Baha’i community (attending the Nineteen Day Feasts or Holy Days, or in more demanding tasks required by service in the administration of the Faith)
- to take time each day to read the Writings
- to take time each day to say the Obligatory Prayer
Knowing I can relax and stop feeling guilty for not more actively participating in the community building process, particularly at the cluster level, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read through today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Fear into Faith: Overcoming Anxiety
This meditation today is very healing. I remember as a Baha’i youth in the seventies learning that living a Baha’i life is a powerful teacher.
Yes, people are definitely watching us, Jay, to see if our deeds match our words.
yes true
Bahá’u’lláh quotes a verse in the Quran, saying “Whoso maketh efforts for Us, in Our ways shall We assuredly guide him.” When I read this, I understand that when we make any efforts for God, He guide us in our service. And as in the letter above, there are so many ways to serve Him. The Universal House of Justice also states in a letter dated 1 September 1983:
“Bahá’u’lláh has stated quite clearly in His Writings the essential requisites for our spiritual growth, and these are stressed again and again by ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá in His talks and Tablets. One can summarize them briefly in this way:
1. The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.
2. The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.
3. Prayerful meditation on the Teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfill them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.
4.Striving every day to bring our behaviour more into accordance with the high standards that are set forth in the Teachings.
5. Teaching the Cause of God.
6.Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession.”
In essence, I see each of these points as service to God, and now we can add doing our ablutions, and our 95 Alláh’u’abhás as well.
All service for the Cause is service. Think of the perfect example of the Master as He spent many hours of His days taking care of the sick, poor and downtrodden, writing letters to uplift the hearts of those early pioneers. Yes, those who can are called now to serve at many different levels, especially at this time at the cluster level, but the guidance given to us tells us, there are so many ways to serve. We can serve at the cluster level by making sandwiches for Junior Youth activities, helping do crafts at children’s classes. providing a space for a reflection meeting or devotional gathering. Home visiting shut-ins and others to lift their spirits, and when the time is right, elevate the conversations to a spiritual level. I could go on…
Thanks for adding to the list of ways we can be of service, Marian! I remember when our NSA gave us the list of essential requisites for our spiritual growth and many of us had them on our fridge for years! I appreciate the reminder!