I am sitting here waiting for photos to upload and somewhat contemplating people's complaints and their apparent disregard to make choices to change their situation. The thought is:
"Life doesn't just happen. People choose to be the way they are, and will either succeed or fail based on their decisions."
Just yesterday I had the opportunity to share a lesson in FHE on obedience. In preparation, it was a great reminder and teacher to me about this important principle of the gospel. My thoughts started to circle around a thought that was given on Sunday in correlation meeting about the Gift of Tongues. The following quote from President Monson was shared:
"There is one language ... that is common to each missionary — the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization. The language of the Spirit come to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart."
After this was shared, the thought came to me: There are times in our lives when we feel we are inept at the very thing we want most. It is in those times we must seek for the gift of tongues just as we did as missionaries teaching a foreign language.
I often joke with some of my friends that if I want to efficiently express myself, that I need to write. To speak is a struggle for me, therefor I write. There is something calming, calculating, and redeeming about the written word. But I know I cannot go my whole life just writing. I need to seek for better speech skills. But how am I to go about this if I am not seeking, working, and most importantly, being obedient to God's commandments.
Another joke I have is about boys and ladders. I am not a big fan of climbing ladders, but I would rather do that than ask a boy out. Simple. However, if I am seeking that eternal companion and not doing anything to extend myself, how is it that God can bless me? If I chose not to open my mouth, how will I ever know? On the other hand, if I am doing all in my power on my side, God has said he is obligated to bless us (D&C 82:10).
If you are almost obedient, you almost receive blessings. Ugh! That's crappy... Elder Robert D. Hales said, "Our use of agency determines who we are and what we will be." So, who will you be? What gifts and help will you seek for?
In the book of Joel, speaking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ we learn about something interesting. Joel writes about how we will come to the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14). What is your Valley of Decision? When all is said and done, who will you be?
Right now, what you see is what you get. Are you happy with what you see in the mirror? BYU-Hawaii President Wheelwright said, "Trust in the Lord to lead you from what you are to what you have the power to become." Don't settle for the rickety house on the side of the road when God has mansions on high prepared for you.
If you want to open your mouth to that certain someone, pray for that gift; if you want to be better at something, pray for that too. There is nothing to large or small for God. In Proverbs he gives us a direct commandment to trust in him and lean not unto our own understandings.
If you are almost obedient... You almost get blessings. Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, ask and ye shall receive :)
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