Scripture of the day:
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.This verse is the beginning of a very beautiful passage. It continues on to say if it were not for faith, Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Noah and others would not have been able to accomplish what they did.
I have been told I have the gift of faith and so sometimes I find it hard when others don't. In this case I have been thinking back onto last Sunday. Michael was so paranoid about things being stolen from the library and whether we should lock the door, etc. I was so impatient with him. I just didn't understand why he didn't have more faith. It is the Lord's building after all. Oh things still happen in the building, people do take other peoples stuff, people get hurt and sometimes people get in to damage the church buildings. That doesn't mean God isn't there. It just means God allowed them to have their agency to do what they would do. Damaging buildings, taking stuff and hurting people are all about the people not the building, stuff or the others.
I guess I have gotten to a point where whatever happens happens. I can't control everything nor should I try. That is not to say there are things I would not like to have more control over. Oh I do. There are several things in my life I would really like to be different but I can't change them and stressing about it only gives me ulcers. I have had those and I would rather not, again.
I try to change the things I can. I like the ability to change things rather than complain about them. I left a job last year because I was tired of complaining and wanted to do something about it. I could not so I changed what I could - the job. I have paid a considerable price for that. But I still feel I did what I should do. I am still working on what I can do next.
Sheri Lewis told a Chinese story once on her little children's show. Basically it was:
A Chinese farmer gets a horse, which soon runs away. Oh that is bad!
The horse comes back and brings another horse with him. Oh that is good!
The farmer gives the second horse to his son, who rides it, then is thrown and badly breaks his leg.
|
|
In a week or so, the emperor's men come and take every able-bodied young man to fight in a war. The farmer's son is spared. Oh that is good!
So the same events could be bad and good. I remember a young girl at girl's camp. She gets hurt and is taken to the hospital. At the hospital they discover she has a bad tumor. If she had not gotten hurt she would not have known.
Recovering addicts will tell you it has to get pretty bad before they see a way to getting better. In the Book of Mormon the scripture from above goes a little further to say this:
Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.After reading through the scriptures that come from my search I see I have been remiss in one area. Since I have the gift of faith and I have seen many things happen to the better of many I am supposed to testify of that witness. So I will here. I have seen many things happen because of faith and I have faith that many more will happen. We must keep diligent in our faith and last through the trial because once you are on the other side of the trial you will be able to see the Lord's hand if you ask.
One final word: don't limit the Lord because He can achieve things in ways you have never thought possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment