Why do you go to church each week?
Maybe you’ve asked yourself this question during a time of spiritual struggle.
When you’ve had to deal with a toddler.
When you feel like you don’t have any friends in your ward.
Besides partaking of the infinitely important sacrament, Luke gives some commentary on Paul’s travels:
“And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:23)
He went around strengthening all the disciples!
What a fantastic reason to go to church.
Instead of focusing on teaching a lesson, conducting music, or listening to a teacher, we can turn outward!
We can focus on finding ways to strengthen the people around us.
I personally have been strengthened by people who had conversations with me in the hallway.
By people who have shared meaningful comments in lessons.
Or even by those who’ve just smiled at me in a moment of loneliness.
“This religion is not concerned only with self; rather, we are all called to serve.” (Elder D. Todd Christofferson)
And we certainly don’t need to be perfect to strengthen others!
Your strengths are probably someone else’s weaknesses and vice versa.
We all get to be strengthened, and we all get to strengthen others as we share what’s worked for us and how we’ve gotten closer to Jesus.
And if we aren’t necessarily feeling strengthened by others, then we can go to turn outward and lend our strength to someone who needs it.
Every time I do that, I end up feeling strengthened, too.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
