How to Nurture a Spirit of Service

What does a “spirit of service” look like? The latest video from the “Virtues Basket” series explores how we can become service-oriented people — and how service can help us grow.

God has created us to care and be there for one another. Through service — whether it’s the little things we do for others on a day-to-day basis, or big projects to improve our communities — we contribute to the advancement of society by helping others. When we serve, we look for ways to help humanity without expecting anything in return. We don’t wait around to be asked to help, but always look to see who needs help and how we can help them.

In the Baha’i community, Baha’is strive to “have a spirit of service” — to become a service-oriented person. Without a desire to serve, no one would go out of their way to help others in need without selfish motives. Having a spirit of service helps us build vibrant and harmonious communities where everyone strives to bring joy to others’ hearts; and in doing so, we become self-motivated to help change the world.

In her book “The Family Virtues Guide,” Linda Popov mentions that service-oriented people work with eagerness, look for ways to support others, and don’t wait to be asked when something needs to be done. People who are service-oriented work with a spirit of service and do their best by making a real contribution.

As children, we can look for little ways to make life easier for our family, like helping with the dishes or cooking. If we see a lonely person, we can try to be there for them. When we grow up with the spirit to serve, we learn to be happy and joyful by making a real contribution to help empower others in society. We fulfill our purpose in life by adding value to our surroundings through service.

As we grow older, our capacity for service grows. Through service we become empowered by developing lots of different skills, such as problem solving, active listening, and cooperation. Arising to serve can help us grow not just spiritually, but also intellectually.

Abdu’l-Baha, the son and successor of the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, wrote:

"Service to humanity is service to God. Let the love and light of the Kingdom radiate through you until all who look upon you shall be illumined by its reflection. Be as stars, brilliant and sparkling in the loftiness of their heavenly station."

In order to grow both spiritually and intellectually, and to make the world a better place, we need to foster the spirit of service in our mindset, our beliefs, and our actions — and teach our children to serve their community from a young age. This video from the “Virtues Basket” can be a useful tool to help everyone understand what service really is, and why we should serve.