Do you see? Is the path you are on leading there?
I started pondering a deep set of verses this week. It was frustrating me. I was not really sure what the Lord intended me to get out of it. I read it over and over again and was not getting anywhere with it. Then I decided that I should stop relying on my thoughts and interpretations and listen to the Lord. I ended up inquiring.
The set of verses comes from Galatians 1:6-9. After inquiring, I following my heart. I did a search online to find every talk or reference where this set of scriptures were used. Many of them talk about apostasy, some about leaders being called to help guide us from apostasy, but the thoughts that continually ran through my head were similar to Paul's.
I marvel at how soon some are to remove themselves from the fellowship of the Lord. I find myself asking why? What distracts them? How can I or we help them from being distracted? As I pondered this thoughts, I came across a talk given by Elder Boyd K. Packer many years ago. As I read the talk, I was impressed to realize that many times, the distractions that so easily beset us are because we don't have a vision of where it is we are going or where we want to go.
My thoughts turned to the very first book of the Harry Potter series. Owls are trying their darnedest to deliver a message to Harry. Each letter was very specific. Not only did they know the country, city, street, and house number, they knew where he slept. They were intent on delivering to the closet under the stairs. They did not just fly over England and drop the letter. They had a vision.
How many of us have a vision of where it is we are headed and what is required to get there? Do you think it would be easier to avoid distraction if we had that vision?
If someone asked you about that vision, how much of it would you be willing to share? I know, I thought the same thing, it depends on how much I want this person to be a part of that vision. When I meet someone new and they ask me where I am from, the answer usually depends on how close I want them to me or to be able to find me. I could say the United States, Western Coast, Rocky Mountains, etc... Or I could get very specific, by giving them my street address. Once I have done that, the rest is in their court. Depending upon how much they want to be in my vision, will depend upon how much effort the actually put forth in finding that address.
Here is the question that comes back to our verses: Where do you see yourself in God's vision? Are you just headed to the kingdom, is that all you see? The kingdom is big place. Or do you see the street address of the mansion He has gone to prepare for you? Do you see how it is designed? Do know what it is like on the inside? Do you see your room, closet, or whatever has been built for you? Do you know how to get there?
I know how to get England. In fact, the paths to get there are numerous. But finding Little Whinging, Surrey is something completely different. Once is England, the number of paths there are fewer and fewer. Getting even more specific as we look for number 4 on Privet Dr. becomes even more direct. Getting to the cupboard under the stairs is something all together different. There is only one path to that cupboard..
Getting to the Kingdom of God is like going to England. Knowing, seeing, and understanding how to get to your place in the kingdom is all together different. If we don't have that vision. We will never arrive.
There are several other analogies that have come to me through out the week. I am grateful for the sweet whispering that comes from the ministering of the Holy Ghost. I hope that you will see your cupboard under the stairs that He has prepared for you in His kingdom. I hope that you will do all that you need to do to know how to get there. I pray that it will become so familiar to you that you could do it in your sleep if needed. I hope even more so that I will have some part in your vision of that place equal to the one I have of you in mine.
I will let you build from there.
It has been a pretty Ho-Hum week around here. We are all doing just the same old thing day in and day out.
The Queen has tried to refine her daily lists of tasks to complete. Each day it get more and more specific. She has wonderful vision. This week coming, she has had a few wrenches thrown into the routine, but she is dealing with it. She celebrated another year of life. I guess that was an exciting thing. Her young women gave our yard and front door a heart attack.
The Professor is hot and heavy into another semester. Sometimes that is all she feels like she is doing, not to mention work and her calling.
Tall Man continues to plug along on the school thing. It is crazy as ever, but he is doing his best.
SnackPack is ready for school to be out, but is excited to be back in the water for polo.
Like I said, just a Ho-Hum week.
How was yours?
The set of verses comes from Galatians 1:6-9. After inquiring, I following my heart. I did a search online to find every talk or reference where this set of scriptures were used. Many of them talk about apostasy, some about leaders being called to help guide us from apostasy, but the thoughts that continually ran through my head were similar to Paul's.
I marvel at how soon some are to remove themselves from the fellowship of the Lord. I find myself asking why? What distracts them? How can I or we help them from being distracted? As I pondered this thoughts, I came across a talk given by Elder Boyd K. Packer many years ago. As I read the talk, I was impressed to realize that many times, the distractions that so easily beset us are because we don't have a vision of where it is we are going or where we want to go.
My thoughts turned to the very first book of the Harry Potter series. Owls are trying their darnedest to deliver a message to Harry. Each letter was very specific. Not only did they know the country, city, street, and house number, they knew where he slept. They were intent on delivering to the closet under the stairs. They did not just fly over England and drop the letter. They had a vision.
How many of us have a vision of where it is we are headed and what is required to get there? Do you think it would be easier to avoid distraction if we had that vision?
If someone asked you about that vision, how much of it would you be willing to share? I know, I thought the same thing, it depends on how much I want this person to be a part of that vision. When I meet someone new and they ask me where I am from, the answer usually depends on how close I want them to me or to be able to find me. I could say the United States, Western Coast, Rocky Mountains, etc... Or I could get very specific, by giving them my street address. Once I have done that, the rest is in their court. Depending upon how much they want to be in my vision, will depend upon how much effort the actually put forth in finding that address.
Here is the question that comes back to our verses: Where do you see yourself in God's vision? Are you just headed to the kingdom, is that all you see? The kingdom is big place. Or do you see the street address of the mansion He has gone to prepare for you? Do you see how it is designed? Do know what it is like on the inside? Do you see your room, closet, or whatever has been built for you? Do you know how to get there?
I know how to get England. In fact, the paths to get there are numerous. But finding Little Whinging, Surrey is something completely different. Once is England, the number of paths there are fewer and fewer. Getting even more specific as we look for number 4 on Privet Dr. becomes even more direct. Getting to the cupboard under the stairs is something all together different. There is only one path to that cupboard..
Getting to the Kingdom of God is like going to England. Knowing, seeing, and understanding how to get to your place in the kingdom is all together different. If we don't have that vision. We will never arrive.
There are several other analogies that have come to me through out the week. I am grateful for the sweet whispering that comes from the ministering of the Holy Ghost. I hope that you will see your cupboard under the stairs that He has prepared for you in His kingdom. I hope that you will do all that you need to do to know how to get there. I pray that it will become so familiar to you that you could do it in your sleep if needed. I hope even more so that I will have some part in your vision of that place equal to the one I have of you in mine.
I will let you build from there.
It has been a pretty Ho-Hum week around here. We are all doing just the same old thing day in and day out.
The Queen has tried to refine her daily lists of tasks to complete. Each day it get more and more specific. She has wonderful vision. This week coming, she has had a few wrenches thrown into the routine, but she is dealing with it. She celebrated another year of life. I guess that was an exciting thing. Her young women gave our yard and front door a heart attack.
The Professor is hot and heavy into another semester. Sometimes that is all she feels like she is doing, not to mention work and her calling.
Tall Man continues to plug along on the school thing. It is crazy as ever, but he is doing his best.
SnackPack is ready for school to be out, but is excited to be back in the water for polo.
Like I said, just a Ho-Hum week.
How was yours?
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