Within Our Control

I hope that everyone that reads this excuses me for the time being. As of late, I have been using this blog as a way to articulate my life in a way that would be helpful for myself and those that venture online. A common theme throughout is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many thoughts that float in my head are connected and resolved through the gospel hence you'll find threads related to those specific principles. Now onto what I intended to punch out on my keyboard.

This afternoon after church I decided to lay down and take a nap. Not a nap on the couch while watching the NFL (which I do almost every Sunday which results in no nap as I flip between channels trying to find an interesting/competitive game) but on my bed so that I would rest comfortably, but at first I didn't rest comfortably. I tossed and turned as thoughts and worries raced. This is all highly unusual because when my head hits the pillow 'lights out'. I eventually dozed off and slept well enough to dream and remember it after I awoke, which is another unusual occurrence for myself; dreaming and remembering the dream and specifically dreaming while taking a nap. So I decided to write down what I remembered while listening to Explosions in the Sky before I forgot and at the conclusion this prompting came to my mind.

When we plead with our Father in heaven for assistance, guidance, strength and even miracles He requires the heart and a willing mind (see Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34). Therefore, when I stand in need He asks me to diligently and faithfully do and follow what He has put in my control. There are so many things out of our control that can cause us to toss and turn. The blessing of striving to do what is in our control is that it gives us confidence in Him and that all things will work out as He has repeatedly promised. 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (see Hebrews 10:35-36).

And His will is that you and I do the things within our control.

"Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence" - Jeffrey R. Holland

Robbie

Feeling Stretched

Static stretching is used to stretch muscles while the body is at rest. It is composed of various techniques that gradually lengthen a muscle to an elongated position (to the point of discomfort) and hold that position. During this holding period or directly afterwards, participants may feel a mild discomfort.

The demands you and I experience during life sometime feel like static stretching. Holding various positions, tasks, activities to the point of mild discomfort. I don't feel like its necessary to go into detail where you and I might feel stretched but suffice it to say that if we're anxiously engaged we are going to be stretched.

Something that has always resonated with me while studying the scriptures is the principle that the Lord wishes to grant unto us the righteous desires of our hearts. If you're as intrigued as I am from this topic please carefully study these two addresses from some of my favorite church leaders.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell "According to the Desires of [Our] Hearts"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Desire"

I often wonder "with all these desires which ones are of the most importance? How do I recognize if I'm making any progress towards these endeavors? Which ones should be of the highest priority?" Then after reading a particular paragraph from the devotional "Always Remember Him", from Elder D. Todd Christofferson, I was prompted to try a new way to setting goals that isn't represented by the traditional to-do lists or bullet points.

Elder Christofferson taught that Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father by submitting Himself, body, spirit and will to the follow because it was the Father’s will, Jesus submitted even to death, “the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7). He then says, "In the same way, you and I can put Christ at the center of our lives and become one with Him as He is one with the Father (see John 17:20‐23). We could begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center. We would first put in place the things that make it possible always to remember Him—frequent prayer, studying and pondering the scriptures, thoughtful study of apostolic teachings, weekly preparation to partake of the sacrament worthily, Sunday worship, recording and remembering what the Spirit and experience teach us about discipleship. There may be other things that will come to your mind particularly suited to you at this point in your life. Once adequate time and means for these matters, for centering our lives in Christ, have been put in place, we can begin to add other responsibilities and things of value insofar as time and resources will permit, such as education and family responsibilities."

I was awestruck after reading this and decided to throw away my goals listed in that traditional manner. I drew a circle and put Christ at the center.  Then I proceeded to put the things that draw me closer to Him. He is at the center of the diagram as He should be in our lives. He beckons us "to come unto Him", and I saw that the honest and righteous desires were close to him because they caused me to "remember Him always".  On the fringes were other responsibilities that are worthy insofar as time and resources permit.

As things in life change, I know that my diagram will adapt but always at the center will be Christ and the key principles that draw me to remembrance and unto Him. I am committed and under covenant to become His disciple. At the heart of becoming a disciple is feeling stretched, experiencing mild discomforts and going through the furnace of affliction (see 1 Nephi 20) that refines and prepares us for the greatest of all gifts He has to offer us, life eternal (see Doctrine & Covenants 14:7).

Robbie

Disclaimer: The majority of the thoughts that I attempt to articulate on this blog are not my own original ideas (not hard to believe). They come from things I have seen, read and heard that resonated with me in a unique manner.

A Time To Prepare

therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare 
The Book of Mormon, Alma 12:24 
this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state  
The Book of Mormon, Alma 42:10

The past week has involved some very challenging and preparing experiences. The events range from turning the chapter on a relationship and starting anew, being called to serve within the walls of the House of the Lord and the everyday pressures one feels during the decade of decisions. We have been allocated a finite time here on earth. Joseph B. Wirthlin said the days of our probation are numbered, but none of us knows the number of those days. Each day of preparation is precious. These finite days prepare us for the infinite days that await and how we exercise our moral agency during this time is precious.

And this is what we are here preparing for;

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more. Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
 (I am a Child of God)

I have come to a better understand that we are here to prepare ourselves to live with him someday. Part of the process is going through difficult times as we trust in the Lord with all our heart; and lean not unto our own understanding. In all our way acknowledge him, and he shall direct our paths. 

It is a privilege to understand these principles. They serve as a compass while I navigate through these challenging and preparatory times. 

Remember, eternity is now, not a vague, distant future. We prepare each day, right now, for eternal life. If we are not preparing for eternal life, we are preparing for something else, perhaps something far less. - M. Russell Ballard

Robbie