Every aspect of a person’s life is an element of his or her service to Bahá’u’lláh: 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 behaviour 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 . . . 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. (Universal House of Justice, to the European Baha’i youth Council, 7 December 1992)
Where has this quote been all my Baha’i life? I realized when reading it, how narrow was my understanding of service. I used to think that service was just participating in the core activities and raising up the community building process within our clusters. I can see how I would get that impression because study of the Ruhi curriculum teaches us that this is what means to walk a path of service, and when the Statistics Officer contacts me to see what I’ve been doing, these are the only things they want to track. Living in an inactive cluster and being an introvert, happier teaching and serving in an online environment, I have beaten myself up mercilessly for not being a good Baha’i, because I’m not currently serving in my cluster the way I think I “should”. So I was very grateful to find this quote today!
I relate better to bullet points, which I can use as a checklist, so let’s take these one at a time:
- 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 behaviour 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
- reading the Writings
- saying the Obligatory Prayer
Were any of these a surprise to you? I was certainly surprised that they are all aspects of service. I was happy to see that nurturing good health is also part of service, because of course, we can’t serve when we aren’t healthy. I love belonging to such a compassionate religion and am grateful for the House of Justice elaborating on this issue!
Knowing that service is much broader than just “walking a path”, I can relax and 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 Learning How to Be Happy
Waouh! I loved sooooo much your post! It’s so encouraging. Living in no cluster at all, far away from any baha’i except my daughter, I felt being of « no use » for the Faith. Thank you!!! I keep following your posts, it makes me think a lot. Thanks
Thanks for the enthusiastic support Casanova! I’m glad they make you think!
Thank you so much for this post. I do think it is an issue where we focus on the core activities because that is what is counted. It makes sense that all aspects of our family lives, if lived with the right attitude and love are service. Such a great reminder. I have printed off the quote and keep it in my prayer book. Thank you again..
I’ve also printed off the quote and put it where I can look at it every day too Penny! I’m glad it struck you the same way!
Thank you this Susan, and by the way I think your service is extensive. I love the progams you put together for the Feasts and Holy Days, I always look for them when I have to plan something, and they are always so well received. I have discovered a lot through your work online.
Ya Baha’u’l-Abha! I’m so glad to hear it, Pamela! Thanks so much for the encouraging words!