Willingly, Willing, Will
It has been a wonderful weekend. I mentioned earlier that I had thought for another post coming as a result of it. After listening to Elder Bednar's talk today, I decided that I need to spend more time sharing. Therefore, you will more than likely see more of my Rants and Ramblings as an average Schmuck trying to make sense of it all.
So on with my post.
Puddin was asked to perform a special musical number this week in another ward. It was kind of last minute so he asked if I could cover his class for him. Our lesson was on David and Bathsheba. For a group of 12 year old boys, this was leading to what could have become an interesting conversation. Not that I would have avoided it, but it was not the point or objective of the lesson. I wanted to convey the understanding that YES, David and Bathsheba made a mistake. So, how can we learn from their mistake and protect or prepare ourselves to avoid the same or similar type mistakes in our own lives. It was a good lesson. I hope the discussions we had will stick with them. I know it has stuck with me. My mind keeps coming back to it, most importantly, the learning activity.
In this activity, I asked the young men to close their eyes, listen, feel, and be prepared to discuss what they learned. While their eyes were closed, we discussed the story from the scriptures while I walked around the room and put little pieces of light pink thread in their hair, on their shirts, on their paints, and dragged longer pieces of thread over their hands, arms, faces. Though they did not open their eyes, some of the reacted to the thread touching their skin by trying to brush it away. Then I dragged a thicker piece of rope over their sleeves and shoes.
When we had finished the story of David and Bathsheba, I asked them to open their eyes and we talked about what they felt. Each of them felt the thicker rope. Each of them felt the lighter thread at one point, but not each time. What they did not feel was the pieces that were attached to their clothing.
While they removed each strand, we talked about how each of us has been given the Light of Christ. It is there to help us discern those little temptations and transgressions (strands) that may pop up in our lives. If we are in tune, we will be able to brush them away, just like they brushed the thread that tickled them. There are other times that we my feel the heavy warnings of the Holy Ghost, telling us to get away, turn around, change directions and such. His words are stronger and more forceful. But lets face it, there are sometimes that we are just bombarded with temptation. Sometimes they stand out, like those strands of pink on dark slacks. Then there are times that we just don't notice them at all and walk around with them as part of who we are, those light pink stands we don't see against white shirts, in our hair, or on our backs. It is not until someone points them out or our spiritual eyes become better adjusted to the Light of Christ that we see them as well.
The big questions then are: How to we react when someone points them out? Or How do we enhance our spiritual vision to the Light of Christ?
It was a good discussion. I was grateful for an inspired young man who spoke in Sacrament Meeting just hours before. He pointed out that the answers to these questions has to do with one thing. WILL. If you think about it, that it all that has ever been asked of us by our Heavenly Father.
Do we submit Willingly to the guidance and council of chosen leaders, teachers, and parents as a little child?
Are we Willing to make the changes in our lives to be in accordance with the laws and commandments of our Heavenly Father?
Will we go and do as He commands, conforming our Will to His Will, until they are they same?
I know that I carry around lots of strands. I am diligently trying to remove them. It is a process, not a singular event. I am amazed each time my vision is opened before me and I am able to see and remove these strands on my own. I am grateful for faithful family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and leader who humbly help me see those strands I am not seeing. Then they unconditionally help me remove them.
I am eternally grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who helps me, through the Atonement, get untangled from those threads that I get wrapped up in because of my weaknesses. I know He does the same for you.
I hope that you are Willingly following Him. I pray that you are Willing to make changes. I offer my support when needed to help you change your Will to His as He does to the Father's.
So on with my post.
Puddin was asked to perform a special musical number this week in another ward. It was kind of last minute so he asked if I could cover his class for him. Our lesson was on David and Bathsheba. For a group of 12 year old boys, this was leading to what could have become an interesting conversation. Not that I would have avoided it, but it was not the point or objective of the lesson. I wanted to convey the understanding that YES, David and Bathsheba made a mistake. So, how can we learn from their mistake and protect or prepare ourselves to avoid the same or similar type mistakes in our own lives. It was a good lesson. I hope the discussions we had will stick with them. I know it has stuck with me. My mind keeps coming back to it, most importantly, the learning activity.
In this activity, I asked the young men to close their eyes, listen, feel, and be prepared to discuss what they learned. While their eyes were closed, we discussed the story from the scriptures while I walked around the room and put little pieces of light pink thread in their hair, on their shirts, on their paints, and dragged longer pieces of thread over their hands, arms, faces. Though they did not open their eyes, some of the reacted to the thread touching their skin by trying to brush it away. Then I dragged a thicker piece of rope over their sleeves and shoes.
When we had finished the story of David and Bathsheba, I asked them to open their eyes and we talked about what they felt. Each of them felt the thicker rope. Each of them felt the lighter thread at one point, but not each time. What they did not feel was the pieces that were attached to their clothing.
While they removed each strand, we talked about how each of us has been given the Light of Christ. It is there to help us discern those little temptations and transgressions (strands) that may pop up in our lives. If we are in tune, we will be able to brush them away, just like they brushed the thread that tickled them. There are other times that we my feel the heavy warnings of the Holy Ghost, telling us to get away, turn around, change directions and such. His words are stronger and more forceful. But lets face it, there are sometimes that we are just bombarded with temptation. Sometimes they stand out, like those strands of pink on dark slacks. Then there are times that we just don't notice them at all and walk around with them as part of who we are, those light pink stands we don't see against white shirts, in our hair, or on our backs. It is not until someone points them out or our spiritual eyes become better adjusted to the Light of Christ that we see them as well.
The big questions then are: How to we react when someone points them out? Or How do we enhance our spiritual vision to the Light of Christ?
It was a good discussion. I was grateful for an inspired young man who spoke in Sacrament Meeting just hours before. He pointed out that the answers to these questions has to do with one thing. WILL. If you think about it, that it all that has ever been asked of us by our Heavenly Father.
Do we submit Willingly to the guidance and council of chosen leaders, teachers, and parents as a little child?
Are we Willing to make the changes in our lives to be in accordance with the laws and commandments of our Heavenly Father?
Will we go and do as He commands, conforming our Will to His Will, until they are they same?
I know that I carry around lots of strands. I am diligently trying to remove them. It is a process, not a singular event. I am amazed each time my vision is opened before me and I am able to see and remove these strands on my own. I am grateful for faithful family, friends, teachers, co-workers, and leader who humbly help me see those strands I am not seeing. Then they unconditionally help me remove them.
I am eternally grateful for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who helps me, through the Atonement, get untangled from those threads that I get wrapped up in because of my weaknesses. I know He does the same for you.
I hope that you are Willingly following Him. I pray that you are Willing to make changes. I offer my support when needed to help you change your Will to His as He does to the Father's.
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