Life is full of mile stones that center around age. For members of the church, our milestones look something like this: 8 years old you are baptized, 12 you join young men's or young women's, 14 you can go to dances, 16 you can date and drive, 18 you graduate from HS and attend college, and now at 18 for young men, 19 for young women, you can serve a mission.
Between all of the age mile stones, personal growth and development take place, and you are hopefully found where you want to be when the opportunity calls you to be there.
I have been impressed by the importance of personally developing, especially developing spiritually. Along life's course, our testimony's transform from external influences to internal drive. At what point that is depends primarily on the individual and their personal choices.
Joshua teaches us in the Bible to "choose ye this day whom ye will serve..." I love his clarity. Choose today, not tomorrow, next week, or when you aren't in the middle of something so important. Choose today.
It's important to know early "whom ye serve". All of life's choices hinge on that personal declaration and decision. So much of life's misery stems from being in opposition to the creator of our souls, but not wanting to subject our will fully to Him. It is difficult to separate yourself from "worldly" trends and fads. It is difficult at times to stand out as different, especially when that difference finds you alone. But, it is worth it.
Every personal sacrifice to be found on the Lord's side is worth it. In comparison to the ultimate sacrifice, that being the atonement of Christ, our sacrifices are minimal, and if there are any damages they are not ones without eternal repair.
To the follower and believer there is significant and real change to the deep happiness felt in your life. It may be dismissed or undervalued to persons of disbelief, but it is a real guiding force that naturally brings peace, happiness, and comfort during all situations of life.
To choose faith in God is a consistent choice. It is a choice worth making every day. The results aren't hidden; it is the choice that brings fulfillment in this life and peace in the eternal life.
With the new opportunity for more young people to serve missions, this choice will be given to many more seekers of truth. It is humbling to realize the implications of this. The gospel has filled my life with joy and direction, and though not all will accept it, so many more people will have the chance to hear it and choose for themselves.
While I will not be going out and serving a mission any time soon due to personal circumstances (being a wife and young mother), I know I am not missing out on the opportunity to be involved in missionary work now. Through my faith, the way I live my life, and my personal attentiveness to seek after and do what I can for individuals who have strayed from the path or never found it, I can be an instrumental member missionary. I can help people "choose this day" to slowly come back to the source of all happiness and direction.
Our personal decision to have a working testimony can enable us to be an angelic minister of God. While our actions may seem like day to day living, our opportunity to good enhances, and we can find ourselves being inspired as to how we can help others.
May the challenge be given: "Choose ye [each] day whom ye will serve... "
And the decision be made: "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
Love,
J.
No comments:
Post a Comment