Sunday, September 12, 2010

But if not...

I think that this is one of the greatest phrases ever. This phrase only appears once that I am aware of in the KGV  of the bible and it was spoken the the great king Nebuchadnezzar by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dan/3). They refused to worship the golden image setup and had the faith that they could be delivered but knew that if not they would not serve a false God.


I particularly love this as it is the ultimate acceptance of the Lord's will in our lives. I know that I have said, "I will date and extend out my heart trying to get married and strive for it with all I'm worth until I get crushed." Or say, "I will get an education until it isn't fun anymore." The most oft occurring one is, "I will endure suffering and all manner of afflictions and even die proclaiming my faith for the church, but don't make me be a ________ (fill this in with a calling the I would not want to do)."


I was touched as my stake president shared the story of President Eyring upon visiting a sick friend. He was deaf and going blind and as their visit was concluding the man had a question for President Eyring. President Eyring was prepared to tell him why he was having to endure his suffering supposing this was the form that the question would pose. He allowed the man to continue and he asked, "If I am deaf and blind will I still be able to serve God?" He wept and responded that he would indeed be able to continue serving God.


I must have faith in God with no reservations. I believe that he has so much invested in my life that I will not fail unless I want to. The frustration that I experience is not being able to see the end from the beginning. I realized in a grand way that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego saw the end from the beginning yet they did not know if they would be saved temporally. I realized that I don't want to see the end from the beginning, I want to see the half way mark and the what happens after this mark from the beginning. That is not the plan.


After conference I am more devoted to placing my hand in the hand of the Savior and trusting in the end. Knowing that as I do everything that I can and move forward with faith enduring to the end that I will have all the blessings of eternal felicity in this life and the next. I hope to marry, and have a great job, and have everything that we usually use to base happiness off of, but if not I will continue to serve a God that is just and merciful and has my best interests at heart. I love the example that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego set for me and hope that I can trust God without reservation to guide my life as I seek His will.

Welcome

I had a bunch of friends getting blogs and I've thought about getting one for a long time so I am starting one about the only thing that I can think of that is important enough to blog about, the Gospel and how it has affected my life and the life of those around me. I hope that you enjoy, and accept that I am not perfect and that the name of this blog should be evidence of that.