One of the most fun parts of being in the bishopric (thus far) has been the people I have been able to meet with to extend callings to. There are some incredibly faithful people in our ward, and it is truly an honor to be able to serve with these people. Sure, people struggle. I struggle. But there is a power that comes from seeing people struggle and overcome their own trials and become cleansed and stronger as a result. It's inspiring.
It's also inspiring to see people serve in so many ways in the Church and Kingdom. Maybe someone wants a particular calling or doesn't want another calling. But when they are called to something unexpected and less desirable and still willingly fulfill their responsibility, it is then that the blessings of God are manifest in their lives. Brother Robertson, our ward mission leader and all-around good guy was talking about this with me last night after choir practice. He felt like I did when I was called to the bishopric when he was called to the stake presidency - mainly, that he was a struggler and that there were a lot of more qualified people than he who could do a much better job. But he was willing to serve (as am I). And it is through this service that we become the kind of people that God wants us to be. And what is it that I want in my life? Well, first of all, I want to be closer to God. How can I do this and reject His commandments, His callings? Secondly, I want to be a better father and husband in order to lead my family in righteousness to our eternal destiny. No small task there. So I need help to grow into the kind of man I need to be so that this can happen. When you pray for strength, He gives you tasks that are impossible to do without His help and expects you to stretch, grow, and strengthen yourself. Then I am qualified to do His work and He will make up for my deficiencies. Sure, I struggle. And absolutely, I cannot do this work by myself. But I am NEVER by myself, for my God is with me. And what He commands me to do I will do, for I can do all things through His strength.
Through humble service to God and His children, our souls become refined. We are able to understand some of what the Atonement means to our Father to sacrifice His Son for us through our growing to love His children. After all, that's how we show our love for our Father - by loving and serving His children.
Ah, I want to be a better person. I wish I didn't struggle with things that weigh me down and destroy my peace and happiness. But struggle I will - I will fight the fight and I will never give up. The prize is there if I don't abandon the struggle.
It's also inspiring to see people serve in so many ways in the Church and Kingdom. Maybe someone wants a particular calling or doesn't want another calling. But when they are called to something unexpected and less desirable and still willingly fulfill their responsibility, it is then that the blessings of God are manifest in their lives. Brother Robertson, our ward mission leader and all-around good guy was talking about this with me last night after choir practice. He felt like I did when I was called to the bishopric when he was called to the stake presidency - mainly, that he was a struggler and that there were a lot of more qualified people than he who could do a much better job. But he was willing to serve (as am I). And it is through this service that we become the kind of people that God wants us to be. And what is it that I want in my life? Well, first of all, I want to be closer to God. How can I do this and reject His commandments, His callings? Secondly, I want to be a better father and husband in order to lead my family in righteousness to our eternal destiny. No small task there. So I need help to grow into the kind of man I need to be so that this can happen. When you pray for strength, He gives you tasks that are impossible to do without His help and expects you to stretch, grow, and strengthen yourself. Then I am qualified to do His work and He will make up for my deficiencies. Sure, I struggle. And absolutely, I cannot do this work by myself. But I am NEVER by myself, for my God is with me. And what He commands me to do I will do, for I can do all things through His strength.
Through humble service to God and His children, our souls become refined. We are able to understand some of what the Atonement means to our Father to sacrifice His Son for us through our growing to love His children. After all, that's how we show our love for our Father - by loving and serving His children.
Ah, I want to be a better person. I wish I didn't struggle with things that weigh me down and destroy my peace and happiness. But struggle I will - I will fight the fight and I will never give up. The prize is there if I don't abandon the struggle.
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This is the thing I need to constantly be reminded of. I forget that praying for strength doesn't mean He is going to wave a magic wand and make me strong, it means He is going to give me challenges to help me grown into a stronger person.