I am reminded that it is not for me to build a stronger relationship with God. In Neal A. Maxwell's All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, Elder Maxwell teaches that our relationship is established to God through our lineage. We can do nothing alter this reality. Instead, we can possibly draw closer to God, worship, adore and obey but our relationship is established in the premortal life and will remain into the eternities.
I have gone through my battles, maybe even foolishly sought out a battle of wills with my Heavenly Father. I have sought out complexity rather than simplicity. I thought that by proving to God that I in fact have my own agency--a fact I needed not prove to the source who granted it to me--I could find joy independent of His help or blessings. Elder Maxwell captures my foolishness...
"...do we childishly want to play-act just a little longer-risking righteousness and true happiness merely in order to be reassured about our independence?"
I have definitely been guilty of this in my past. I am beginning to learn, by the sweat of enduring the trials He has allowed to enter my life, that true freedom comes from living the commandments, surrounding myself with friends who fear and love God, and ceding my will to His.
It is also about doing more than avoiding the bad. It is about actively pursuing the good. Elder Maxwell teaches "even if we avoid wickedness, our journey will end in the suburbs, somewhere short of the City of God."
I desperately want to make it to the City on the Hill. But there are days I feel weak. Elder Maxwell teaches about a key source of inner strength...
"When weary legs falter and detours and roadside allurements entice, the fundamental doctrines will summon from deep within us fresh determination. Extraordinary truths can move us to extraordinary accomplishments."
I know that focusing on the fundamental doctrines of the gospel and committing to living the pure religion of Jesus Christ will, and has in large measure, offer me the fresh determination that the trying times of the present require.
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Thursday 16 February 2012
patience
In Uchtdorf's April 2011 talk, he spoke of patience. Patience is a virtue that is learned over time and with practice. Studies show that those who can obtain this trait are largely more successful in the future than those who do not. In October, Uchtdorf again spoke of patience and said often we pray for patience but we want it right now.
I have come to believe that God gives us trials and blessings in a calculated amount of time. There are things we need to learn and grow from along the way. Each experience refines us, so that we might become Christlike.
There are many stories of patience and perseverance in the scriptures and I am grateful that I have them to look to and learn from. As I reflect on and evaluate my own level of patience I am keenly aware that there trials of patience ever present and some that lie ahead. How will I deal with them? I feel strongly that this comes down to obedience and understanding the nature of God. Drawing closer to Him and asking what I can learn from these experiences. I also feel that patience carries with it the reward of gratification and delight when the blessings are finally revealed. Heavenly Father is generous.
“Patience means staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings. The work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments.”
The work of patience boils down to keeping God's commandments, exercising hope, and never giving up. I am committing myself to more patience and seeing my trials through.
I have come to believe that God gives us trials and blessings in a calculated amount of time. There are things we need to learn and grow from along the way. Each experience refines us, so that we might become Christlike.
There are many stories of patience and perseverance in the scriptures and I am grateful that I have them to look to and learn from. As I reflect on and evaluate my own level of patience I am keenly aware that there trials of patience ever present and some that lie ahead. How will I deal with them? I feel strongly that this comes down to obedience and understanding the nature of God. Drawing closer to Him and asking what I can learn from these experiences. I also feel that patience carries with it the reward of gratification and delight when the blessings are finally revealed. Heavenly Father is generous.
“Patience means staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings. The work of patience boils down to this: keep the commandments.”
The work of patience boils down to keeping God's commandments, exercising hope, and never giving up. I am committing myself to more patience and seeing my trials through.
The Pursuit of Freedom
I have been thinking quite a bit recently on the topic of freedom. As Americans we often take for granted the freedoms offered us based on our nationality. As members of the church, we may not appreciate the spiritual freedom that comes from living the gospel.
Rarely in life are you faced with actually placing a value on personal freedom. I find myself in that situation now with my agency tied to someone who is prepared to do and say anything to continue to perpetuate a false reality. It would be easy to resent this circumstance...even conclude that it is contrary to God's Plan to be tied to another soul acting in unrighteousness. My orientation instead is to do all I can to obtain my freedom. I have faith this will be done in God's way and in His own time.
Quoting F. Enzio Busche...
"Freedom for most people of the world means “freedom from” the absence of malice or pain or suppression. But the freedom that God means when He deals with us goes one step further. He means “freedom to”—the freedom to act in the dignity of our own choice."
I plead to my Heavenly Father each night to grant me this blessing. The blessing to act in the dignity of our own choice. I know he hears my prayers. It is my duty to be sure I learn the other lessons He would have me learn as I wait on the Lord.
Rarely in life are you faced with actually placing a value on personal freedom. I find myself in that situation now with my agency tied to someone who is prepared to do and say anything to continue to perpetuate a false reality. It would be easy to resent this circumstance...even conclude that it is contrary to God's Plan to be tied to another soul acting in unrighteousness. My orientation instead is to do all I can to obtain my freedom. I have faith this will be done in God's way and in His own time.
Quoting F. Enzio Busche...
"Freedom for most people of the world means “freedom from” the absence of malice or pain or suppression. But the freedom that God means when He deals with us goes one step further. He means “freedom to”—the freedom to act in the dignity of our own choice."
I plead to my Heavenly Father each night to grant me this blessing. The blessing to act in the dignity of our own choice. I know he hears my prayers. It is my duty to be sure I learn the other lessons He would have me learn as I wait on the Lord.
Wednesday 1 February 2012
desires
As I read through the talk by Elder Oaks from this past General Conference, I was really struck by one of the questions asked in the talk.
Are we truly ready to have our Maker judge our desires?
This got me thinking, what are the greatest desires in my heart? Are they pure? Are they truly mine? Are they in line with the teachings of the Gospel? Are they achievable?
When asking such questions, I am overwhelmed with the idea that our greatest desires can be accomplished when we put our Heavenly Father and His commandments as the first priority in our lives. I can actually fulfill those desires because they are part of the Plan of Happiness. Furthermore, my Heavenly Father knows what those desires are and the corners of my heart that possess those desires. Our greatest desire should be to ultimately gain life eternal. There are other, but equally important desires that allow us to achieve this ultimate goal. They must be righteous, and they must be stepping stones to fulfilling that ultimate desire. Desires, priorities, and actions build upon each other. I remember learning the story of a wise man building his house upon a rock. The rock in this scenario is our desires. That builds a foundation for all other things to come to pass, and to whether the storms that come our way.
Elder Oaks talks about that foundation in the following quote.
"Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."
Are we truly ready to have our Maker judge our desires?
This got me thinking, what are the greatest desires in my heart? Are they pure? Are they truly mine? Are they in line with the teachings of the Gospel? Are they achievable?
When asking such questions, I am overwhelmed with the idea that our greatest desires can be accomplished when we put our Heavenly Father and His commandments as the first priority in our lives. I can actually fulfill those desires because they are part of the Plan of Happiness. Furthermore, my Heavenly Father knows what those desires are and the corners of my heart that possess those desires. Our greatest desire should be to ultimately gain life eternal. There are other, but equally important desires that allow us to achieve this ultimate goal. They must be righteous, and they must be stepping stones to fulfilling that ultimate desire. Desires, priorities, and actions build upon each other. I remember learning the story of a wise man building his house upon a rock. The rock in this scenario is our desires. That builds a foundation for all other things to come to pass, and to whether the storms that come our way.
Elder Oaks talks about that foundation in the following quote.
"Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life."
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