Chosen to Minister

In Nephi's vision, he was shown Jesus' ministry to His people after His resurrection.  Jesus chose twelve apostles who would minister to the people on the American continent.  The angel told Nephi, "Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed."

The phrase "chosen to minister" was interesting to me.  If we apply that phrase to our lives, it seems to be telling us that at times we are also "chosen to minister" to people whom we are called to serve.  Minister means to give service, care or aid.  As I think about my callings, I need to ponder how I can best care for those I serve, to aid them, or give service, .  As I minister, I should be contributing to their comfort or happiness.


This is different than simply giving a lesson or planning an activity.  The end result, the objective, is to bless these people's lives, to make them better, to bring them closer to Christ.  If I focus on an activity or lesson without thinking about ministering to those I'm teaching, I'm simply filling an assignment.


The other part of the phrase is the "chosen" part.  Out of the thousands of people who gathered to witness the coming of Christ in America, only Nephi and twelve others were chosen to minister as apostles.  And only I (and my partner) have the calling of visiting teacher to those sisters we visit.  Only I have the calling of choir director in the ward.  Only I have the calling of Relief Society Meeting Coordinator.  If I neglect these callings, or do them halfheartedly, or simply go through the motions, who will step in to do these duties?  No one else has been chosen.  Others have their own assignments.  My callings are where I have been "chosen" to serve.