Be Humble for the right reasons
Good Morning -
I am sure that it is because of the focus this week/month coming from church magazines and Come Follow Me, but this week's verses of pondering have taken a different path for me this week.
Alma 32:25-27
"For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might."
"Now, as I said concerning faith - that it is not a perfect knowledge - even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge."
"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
I whole heartily agree with Alma here. It is better for us to humbly submit to the will of the Lord than it is to be compelled to be humble through trials and afflictions. But there is a key here. We need to submit and align ourselves with the Lord not the world/adversary.
As I have pondered this group of people and been reading this month, they found themselves in humbling circumstances, but their desire was not fully to come unto Christ, but to be in the lime light of those who were in their synagogues. They wanted to worship and be worshiped/acknowledged by those who were ridiculing them. Is this the right way to be humbled? Were they humbling themselves for the wrong reasons?
How many of us have a dream of grandeur? We want to see ourselves in the "perfect" circumstance? Those dreams come in many forms. We are driven by the world to aspire for the "perfect" home, job, family, relationship, body, stability, health, finances, and much, much more. When we don't have these things we tend to self inflict a humbling mindset that is not in unison with the Lord, but with the world, sometimes resulting in self abuse, mentally, emotionally, and physically. This is not what the Lord intends for us. He desires that we humbly align with his gospel in a manner that lifts, inspires, and bring joy, not one that tears down, rejects, and creates turmoil.
Life, like faith, is not "perfect". It does not come instantly. It requires patience and long-suffering at times. It requires us to see ourselves and God sees us. And then, we must put our faith in that person we see we can become. Just as Alma encourages, little experiment to little experiment. Even if it is the desire to believe we can become that person God sees that we can become.
We should not beat ourselves up, as these Zoramites were doing, but we need to seek those things and paths that will lift us up through exercising faith. We tackle one thing at a time, moment to moment, finding the strength to forgive our imperfections, but continue working on overcoming them at the same time. This is done, not alone, but with, through, and by the power of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This pattern of faith, repentance, and endurance is all part of why Jesus Christ offered himself as an Atonement for us, that we might humbly align with the will of our Father in Heaven as he did.
What ever challenge you are facing or may face, it can be overcome through this simple, yet, powerful process. I encourage you to study it and apply it to your lives on a daily basis.
Our week -
It has been another whirlwind of a week. I spent more time in the air and then trying to catch up afterward. I have now been referred to a specialist and we will see where it goes. I am worried that it is going to prohibit me from performing some of my responsibilities.
The Queen continued working on many projects this week when she was not work. Now she is getting ready to add another adventure to her list of activities. We are all hoping that the soup can does not deter her from what she wants to do.
The Professor has had a super busy week. She is trying to make adjustments to current lesson plans, update with district and school initiatives, as well as learn about her new kiddos. The week has already been filled with parent drama.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have also had a busy week. Lego is growing daily. Together they are finding balance and fulfilling commitments. It was fun to see them this weekend after the faire.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are working, working, working. We were so happy that Lady Hawkins returned safely from her weekend adventure. There were some moments of pins and needles.
SnackPack returned to the classroom this week, more virtually than physically. His days are filled with work and evenings with homework. He took advantage of a weekend get away to relax. We hear it was pretty tense and look forward to getting the full details when he comes home.
Tall Man and Lady Hawkins will be returning to the classroom this week as well. They are in our thoughts and prayers as they make the adjustments to juggling new routines.
I am sure that it is because of the focus this week/month coming from church magazines and Come Follow Me, but this week's verses of pondering have taken a different path for me this week.
Alma 32:25-27
"For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might."
"Now, as I said concerning faith - that it is not a perfect knowledge - even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge."
"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
I whole heartily agree with Alma here. It is better for us to humbly submit to the will of the Lord than it is to be compelled to be humble through trials and afflictions. But there is a key here. We need to submit and align ourselves with the Lord not the world/adversary.
As I have pondered this group of people and been reading this month, they found themselves in humbling circumstances, but their desire was not fully to come unto Christ, but to be in the lime light of those who were in their synagogues. They wanted to worship and be worshiped/acknowledged by those who were ridiculing them. Is this the right way to be humbled? Were they humbling themselves for the wrong reasons?
How many of us have a dream of grandeur? We want to see ourselves in the "perfect" circumstance? Those dreams come in many forms. We are driven by the world to aspire for the "perfect" home, job, family, relationship, body, stability, health, finances, and much, much more. When we don't have these things we tend to self inflict a humbling mindset that is not in unison with the Lord, but with the world, sometimes resulting in self abuse, mentally, emotionally, and physically. This is not what the Lord intends for us. He desires that we humbly align with his gospel in a manner that lifts, inspires, and bring joy, not one that tears down, rejects, and creates turmoil.
Life, like faith, is not "perfect". It does not come instantly. It requires patience and long-suffering at times. It requires us to see ourselves and God sees us. And then, we must put our faith in that person we see we can become. Just as Alma encourages, little experiment to little experiment. Even if it is the desire to believe we can become that person God sees that we can become.
We should not beat ourselves up, as these Zoramites were doing, but we need to seek those things and paths that will lift us up through exercising faith. We tackle one thing at a time, moment to moment, finding the strength to forgive our imperfections, but continue working on overcoming them at the same time. This is done, not alone, but with, through, and by the power of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This pattern of faith, repentance, and endurance is all part of why Jesus Christ offered himself as an Atonement for us, that we might humbly align with the will of our Father in Heaven as he did.
What ever challenge you are facing or may face, it can be overcome through this simple, yet, powerful process. I encourage you to study it and apply it to your lives on a daily basis.
Our week -
It has been another whirlwind of a week. I spent more time in the air and then trying to catch up afterward. I have now been referred to a specialist and we will see where it goes. I am worried that it is going to prohibit me from performing some of my responsibilities.
The Queen continued working on many projects this week when she was not work. Now she is getting ready to add another adventure to her list of activities. We are all hoping that the soup can does not deter her from what she wants to do.
The Professor has had a super busy week. She is trying to make adjustments to current lesson plans, update with district and school initiatives, as well as learn about her new kiddos. The week has already been filled with parent drama.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have also had a busy week. Lego is growing daily. Together they are finding balance and fulfilling commitments. It was fun to see them this weekend after the faire.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are working, working, working. We were so happy that Lady Hawkins returned safely from her weekend adventure. There were some moments of pins and needles.
SnackPack returned to the classroom this week, more virtually than physically. His days are filled with work and evenings with homework. He took advantage of a weekend get away to relax. We hear it was pretty tense and look forward to getting the full details when he comes home.
Tall Man and Lady Hawkins will be returning to the classroom this week as well. They are in our thoughts and prayers as they make the adjustments to juggling new routines.
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