I am, by nature, a doer. I work hard for whatever goal I find at the moment. Right now, I'm not able to work for the goal I want, a goal I know the Lord wants for me. This is why particular words spoken by the Lord to Joseph Smith struck me deeply. The Lord tells Joseph that there are those waiting to destroy him, and "for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee."
When I read it, the Spirit jumped in my heart, and I knew that commandment was also for me. It is perhaps the hardest thing the Lord has asked of me: to not do. To stand by while I watch much of my efforts to fulfill other commandments He has given me crumble around me.
But He goes on to reassure me and Joseph, "if thou art faithful in keeping my commandments, [including the commandment to be still,] thou shalt be lifted up at the last day. Amen."
Faith is a hard thing, indeed.
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SilverRain, thanks for this important reminder.
ReplyDeleteI find that my "intuitive" ways of trying to approach challenges are often ineffective and even counterproductive. "Stop and stand still" is probably counter-intuitive, but you are right- we have to trust that the Lord's ways are better than our ways. He knows us and knows what is best for us.
The key, I think, is seeking His will for us and then doing it, which is something you seem to do well. I, however, need to work on this....
Right now I truly need this reminder to "stop and stand still." It reminds me of "Be still and know that I am God." (exact ref? Psalms and D&C)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insights.
You know I can relate to this as well, friend. Such an important principle.
ReplyDeleteI try to remind myself that we measure success in the realm and limitation of time, but God sees such a bigger picture. He works across decades, generations, even dispensations. That helps me when I start feeling impatient, when my timetable feels like it's not being met.