My father was a World War 2 hero and he had an amazing story to share (The Incredible Escape) with others concerning how his commitment to God literally saved his life. He wrote a book about his amazing story, he wanted to share it with a world that needed something that they could hold up, and use as a model for integrity. He passed away, however, before he could get his story into the hands of many people. His wife had a couple of thousand copies of his story that she didn’t know how she was going to distribute.
I loved my father very much and I felt compelled to get the book to people that would be able to read it. I didn’t know, however, if anyone would want to read his story, so I didn’t really try at first to distribute his story to many. I tried, however, to give a few away and soon, I met several people who were thrilled to read his story. Many of these told me how his story had helped them resolve issues that they had subconsciously buried about their personal wartime experiences. I prayed to find those who needed to read it and many opportunities came my way. Soon, I could see that through my efforts, the love my father has for God and his fellowman became known. My heart was thrilled with this service of love and I began to experience more love for all. This type of love is available for all to experience as we serve God by serving others. Blessings, Gar
Love Changes Everything
Part of talk given by Marilyn S. Bateman, wife of BYU president Merrill J. Bateman,
BYU Devotional Address, January 11, 2000.
Christlike love helps us overcome our natural fear of others. We may fear difference; we may worry about being hurt or slighted. But Christlike love is a love beyond fear. It reaches across the divide of difference. It is in our nature to serve our own interests or the interests of those closest to us. But charity [Christlike Love] takes us beyond our comfort zone. Suddenly, we are less worried about whether others will approve of us. Our concern flows toward them regardless of their feelings for us.
Through the power of Christ's atonement we can come to recognize the powerful spiritual kinship we share with all the people of the earth. As we grow in this understanding, we can't help but be filled with a sincere love and concern for those we are asked to serve. But, we need Christ to help us realize this love and perspective. We can't achieve it on our own.
If we continue earnestly with faith and hope in Christ to seek the gift of charity, it will be granted to us. We will be filled with a love of God and of all people. Paul promised that as we attain this gift, so would we receive of a fullness of God's love:
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
[Ephesians 3:17–19]
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