Promoting the common good

WE CAN all contribute towards building a united family, a better community, and a peaceful world.

Creating such families and communities is achievable if individuals are empowered to express their God-given talents and capacities in service to others.

Promoting the common good through serving humanity is a source of joy, honour and meaning in life. In addition to the positive results for those helped, serving humanity – with pure intentions – also immensely enriches one’s own life.

According to the Baháí writings, “the honour and distinction of the individual” consist in being “a source of social good”, and peace, justice and security will only be firmly established in the world when all people “become united and co-ordinated in service to the world of humanity”.

By serving others, the principles of social integration – including love, tolerance, compassion, understanding, sacrifice, humility, and commitment to justice – will be manifested in our communities.

Not only would service provide immediate benefits to our communities, but it also creates bonds of solidarity and common purpose among those involved.

A sustainable social cohesion and equitable action will, of course, depend on a belief in, and the practice of, “unity in diversity” – achievable only through the acceptance of the concept of the oneness of humanity.

The need for promoting the common good and serving others is now greater than ever – particularly at this critical period in the history of humanity. The governing council of the Baháí international community says “the state of the world has made the need to render meaningful service to humanity more urgent”.

To serve humanity is not without challenges. It involves accepting a degree of discomfort and sacrifice for the well-being and happiness of others. It is a choice we make to change our life from being a predominately self-interested one, to one of sharing, caring and serving others. Humanity has reached a new level of maturity. It is now possible to create societies founded upon co-operation, trust, and genuine concern for one another.

The Baháí writings state: “It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.

“That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race” and “Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the Earth”.

Serving others should not be motivated by the hope of recognition and reward. This impulse should be motivated by the love of God. A life of service to humanity requires humility and detachment.

The attention of our children and youth should be focused, from the beginning on the needs and aspirations of our local community, and curricula should help in developing those skills and capacities that make the acts of service meaningful and effective.

When service is coupled with the acquisition of knowledge, practical skills and technology, it will open many possibilities for individual development, and for the advancement and transformation of our communities.

The leadership of tomorrow must be guided by universal values, including an ethic of service to the common good.

For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083 794 081. Website: www.bahai. org