"A Vessel of Light" Play

Have you every noticed how much the principles that relate to physical exercise also apply to serving others? See if this is true for you. Substitute the word exercise or serve/service in place of the word "it" in the following statements:

*It is rarely convenient.
*There are always reasons why we don't have time to do it.
*People who do it a lot consistently realize the benefits of it.
*It most often requires something of you, a sacrifice of thought, time and energy.
*The more you do it, the easier it gets because you make time for it and incorporate it into your routine.
*Intending to do it is nice but it neither benefits you or others.
*It always has a primary and secondary gain.
*In general, the primary gain is always the good feeling you have for following through with it. This feeling comes after you have done it.
*Since it is not a passive activity the heart is most affected by it.

So here we are collectively at the end of our committed service to this play. Many hands and hearts have exercised their free will and sacrificed something to make it happen. In this particular instance the primary gain for me has been a greater understanding of this beautiful parable intended as Bro. Talmage says for us in these latter days.

I see myself in each of the virgins. The thoughtful portrayal of each character causes me to reflect upon my need to prepare and to not procrastinate trimming my lamp and filling my vessel through greater faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the expression of my love for Him through service to others.

I will remember that even though service often requires our loved ones to sacrifice also, they too benefit as we return home better equipped with greater energy and greater faith in serving them.