Through my studies this semester, in both Social Innovation and Child and Family Advocacy, I have learned and connected so much between my faith as a Christian our need to serve and work toward becoming better as individuals and as communities, and even beyond our own communities. With all of the political and civil unrest in our communities and across the nation right now, we need to further hone in on our own humanity, our love of our Savior, and opportunities that we can emulate His example.
This week's studies in my Social Innovation course gave me an opportunity to reflect on connecting my social awareness with my faith. Here are some thoughts that I had time to think and write on this week:
Joseph Smith said, "A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” As we learn about the atonement of Jesus Christ, we deepen our understanding that we are all children of the same God, that we are brothers and sisters. As we emulate the Savior and strive to become disciple leaders we naturally expand our capacity and desire to bless others. As our "spiritual buckets" are filled, our desire to share the peace and joy and happiness with all others grows. The more we bless others, the more capacity we have to continue to bless even more.
Social innovation is a form of true discipleship to Jesus Christ. As we use our gifts and talents, we can innovate and make efficient and effective ways to serve others. As we have learned, through service where we can encourage and enable self-reliance, we are emulating the service the Savior taught and gave.
Social innovation is a key component to building Zion, as we strive to become "one heart and one mind," we use our strengths and skills to lift another and help them become self-reliant, which, in turn, gives them the foundation and then opportunities to serve as well. Throughout the history of the Restoration, we see social innovation - from the handcart companies to the perpetual education fund, from the early days and purpose of the Relief Society to the present-day mission of the same organization.
The connection of all that we have learned this semester to the principles of the Gospel is very relevant and has the opportunity to strengthen our testimonies of service, of yearning for Zion, and of the Atonement. As we connect our secular lives with our religious lives, we are able to bring ourselves closer to the Savior and closer to becoming a "Zion people."
My life and the world around you through the lens of social innovation has brought me closer to Christ. My perspective has been enlightened and changed substantially this semester. As I am working towards a career change as well as big changes in our family structure (with 3 kids leaving for college this fall) I am aware and seeking opportunities to use my skills. I have reflected throughout the semester on the Social Innovation pyramid and where I fit. I am striving to keep an open mind and heart, to listen to the guidance of God to make a difference. With the perspective of being a disciple of Christ as I am learning and seeking, I know that I will be able to touch and change lives. It may be "the one," or it may be masses - I have great untapped potential and am open and excited to see where God guides my journey as I am drawing nearer to my degree in Marriage and Family Studies
As I have walked through the past few years of change and growth, much of which I didn't (and wouldn't have) chosen, but am grateful for the opportunities that have been opened for me. For the first time in my life I turned much of the decision making in my life over to my Father in Heaven and allowed Him to guide me, rather than me forging through and occasionally checking in to make sure I was on the right path. I have visualized Him laying the bricks in the path for me as I tentatively take each step forward. As I approach a crossroads, I am leaning into my faith (rather than my fear) that he will guide the next steps. I will be graduating this winter and while I am currently waiting on a call back for THE job that I have been waiting and working for - as an Academic and Career Advisor, I am also leaning into the possibility that THIS isn't what I have been trained for and that I will need to further expand my horizons and continue to seek what God wants and needs me to do. This is something that I am not very good at, and have accepted that I am actually very fearful of.
The opportunity to reflect, learn, grow and become an advocate for families and children, and to begin to realize what other opportunities and roles may be out there for me has been amazing (and so scary.) I know that God has big things in store for me. As I have worked on my patience, looked for opportunities to learn and grow, I have gained so much - in my relationship with my Savior, in my outlook and my realization of my mission and my potential.
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