More or Less
I have been reading a book I received for my birthday. It is really a good book. Some of the situations that are occurring have given me reason to ponder.
In the story, the calling has just been issued to several individuals to prepare to open a settlement in the four corners area. One of the main characters of the book is having a hard time understanding why people are so willing to do what they are doing. He joined the church so he could get a less expensive boat ride to the Americas. He continues going to church when he is in town or trying to impress someone, but does not really have a testimony. So, when he sees all these people that are well established, have small children, or have already suffered a great deal in crossing the plains, he asks why.
Why would they do this? Why would they so willingly give up what they have and start all over again? He does not understand why the leaders of the church or Heavenly Father for that matter, is asking more of them, when they have already given so much. In his mind, he would not do it unless there was something of value in it for him.
I wonder how many of us stroll in that same frame of mind. Are we converted to the purpose of this life? Do we think that once we have completed one level, task, calling, or other part of life, that we are done? How much do we get paid for serving in a calling? How much does the Lord pay us for being faithful?
There are times in our lives that we need to recognize that just the fact that we are living and that is enough. We should not be looking for more from the Lord. Similarly in life, we need to accept the fact that we are not going to get something each time we do something. The Lord does not give us something tangible each time we accept a calling. The same thing happens in life. We don't always get something tangible each time we do something.
I guess is what I am trying to say is that often our reward is that experience of doing or participating in something. Or it is just being able to say "I did it". We walk away from a project and be satisfied that we did our best. Whether that be a school project, church project, eagle project or work project. We just do it and recognize what we have learned or how we have grown from the experience and count that as our reward.
In the story, the calling has just been issued to several individuals to prepare to open a settlement in the four corners area. One of the main characters of the book is having a hard time understanding why people are so willing to do what they are doing. He joined the church so he could get a less expensive boat ride to the Americas. He continues going to church when he is in town or trying to impress someone, but does not really have a testimony. So, when he sees all these people that are well established, have small children, or have already suffered a great deal in crossing the plains, he asks why.
Why would they do this? Why would they so willingly give up what they have and start all over again? He does not understand why the leaders of the church or Heavenly Father for that matter, is asking more of them, when they have already given so much. In his mind, he would not do it unless there was something of value in it for him.
I wonder how many of us stroll in that same frame of mind. Are we converted to the purpose of this life? Do we think that once we have completed one level, task, calling, or other part of life, that we are done? How much do we get paid for serving in a calling? How much does the Lord pay us for being faithful?
There are times in our lives that we need to recognize that just the fact that we are living and that is enough. We should not be looking for more from the Lord. Similarly in life, we need to accept the fact that we are not going to get something each time we do something. The Lord does not give us something tangible each time we accept a calling. The same thing happens in life. We don't always get something tangible each time we do something.
I guess is what I am trying to say is that often our reward is that experience of doing or participating in something. Or it is just being able to say "I did it". We walk away from a project and be satisfied that we did our best. Whether that be a school project, church project, eagle project or work project. We just do it and recognize what we have learned or how we have grown from the experience and count that as our reward.
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