For several reasons.
1) It challenges me: is this what I really want? Where is my place in the Baha'i community? Where is my place to serve?
2) The standard of service: in such an environment, to be consciously striving to push ones endeavors that much closer to.... well, the Baha'i standards of service, joy, love and humility.
These challenges remind me of a quote that we often referred back to in classes relating to children (which could be either with children, or about child rearing):
"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." (Baha'u'llah)
When you're getting gems out of the rock, it's a painful process. Chipping away the rock, sanding the rough gem with grit, scraping & scraping.
As for me, such experiences are intensified within Baha'i endeavours, I always come away in many ways exhausted. Pangs of rebirth as I remold my character. Reset goals and adjust to my new self until I rise once more to face further challenges.
"O SON OF SPIRIT
Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness. Renounce thyself and, filled with the spirit of mercy, abide in the realm of celestial sanctity." (Baha'u'llah)
If only this bursting was a single event :) as opposed to it being a lifelong process to wear the bonds of the cage down, and be liberating ourselves from it ever so slowly.
One of the conclusions that I've been coming back to is the answer to why I am Baha'i: out of my love for Baha'u'llah. This is my love for God, and from whence all desire to serve, and love others comes from.
Deep breath in, deep breath out. With that, nothing can deter me:
"Armed with the power of Thy name, nothing can ever hurt me; and with Thy love in my heart, all the world's afflictions can in no wise alarm me." (Baha'u'llah)
