In one of my classes at BYU, the professor assigned us to attend an event or worship service for a group of people we didn’t know much about.
Most of us grew up feeling comfortable attending the church we were born and raised in.
So our professor specifically wanted us to go somewhere we would be a bit uncomfortable.
I wanted to understand a specific group of people better, so I attended one of their meetings.
My professor was right!
I did feel a bit uncomfortable being in an atmosphere I wasn’t used to.
I didn’t “get” all the unspoken rules and routines that everyone else seemed familiar with.
I didn’t know a single person.
But I was also shocked at how much love and understanding I felt in my heart as I listened to the meeting.
Like, SO much love.
This taught me an important lesson that being willing to sacrifice our comfort can lead us straight to love.
When we humbly sacrifice for other people, whether it’s a group we don’t know, our child, or a ward member, we can’t help but grow in love for that person or group.
This means if we want to grow our loving relationship with the Lord, we need to be willing to sacrifice, too.
The Lord knows that it takes work to build that love:
“Wherefore, prepare ye for the coming of the Bridegroom; go ye, go ye out to meet him.” (D&C 133:19)
Jesus Christ loves us, and our willing sacrifice performed with good intentions will always produce greater love.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
