Thought of the Sunday 33

I just wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures with you.  It is from King Benjamin, a prophet King who ruled over the Nephites early in the Book of Mormon.  This scripture is part of his parting words to his people before he gives up the throne to his son Mosiah.  King Benjamin said this in Mosiah 5:13,

"For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"

This scripture teaches me how I can know my Master, who is Jesus Christ.  What do I have to do?  Serve Him, befriend Him, and keep Him close to my thoughts and heart.  Christ himself has said that,"...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).  So when we serve others, we serve our Master as well.  King Benjamin confirmed this when he said in Mosiah 2:17,

"...I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." 

I think getting to know Christ through service is one of the easier parts of this scripture (though I would not say that it is easy; just easier).  Focusing my thoughts on the Savior can often be difficult, especially when the rigors of daily life are getting in the way.  I spend thirty minutes a day focusing on spiritual things and I spend 16 hours focusing on everything else.  I have to learn to include the Savior in my thoughts and heart even when I am fulfilling my worldly tasks.  One thing I know I can do to keep the Savior close is to pray and keep a prayer in my heart when I am not physically praying.  Praying automatically turns my thoughts to my Heavenly Father and my Savior.  Another thing I can do is remember that sin is bad and I need to repent when I do wrong.  Repentance is also a natural way to bring my mind to the Savior.  How else could I repent if there were no Savior?  I want to be able to say that I know my Master, have served Him and have kept Him close to my heart. I'm sure it is something I will have to work on everyday of my life, but that's why we have been given this life "to prepare to meet God..." (Alma 34:32).