Today a few of us spontaneously gathered in my office at work. We stumbled on the subject of race. Friends often ask me if I run into racism, of course I do. Good people even struggle with it. I gave of an example of a leader having an issue with my marriage and one of my coworkers asked if I found another congregation to worship. No I didn't, I would never allow someone else to rob me of my blessings. If I became offended I would have removed myself from communion with Father while another would be allowed to continue to enjoy. Often times people offend not knowing so they are able to continue to enjoy because ignorance is indeed bliss. The coworker who asked the question stated that he considered himself pretty open minded and accepting of most all people but that he had a real problem with "racist." He said though after hearing how I thought nothing of it He might need to rethink his position. Meaning maybe he ought to be more accepting of them also.
That got me thinking that we all have something to work on even when we think we are "there" on a particular subject. I came home tonight and opened my electronic scriptures for a moment and read a little of the book of Matthew chapter 19.
There is a young man who approaches the Savior and asks what he needed to do to gain eternal life and the Savior gave the basics, you know, don't steal or kill or lie...etc. The young man replied, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" From this we can assume that the man would have made it when the time of his death came, he undoubtedly was taught from his parents to do and be good, simply he was an honorable young man. Jesus answered him, "If thou wilt be perfect..." he was told to sell what he had and give to the poor and to follow Him. He couldn't do it. That one thing that kept him back from full commitment. For him it was his money what is yours?
In the book of Alma chapter 22 something happens that amazes and humbles me. I seek such faith in my life. A king was taught by a young man and his brother and when he was taught the words of eternal life exclaimed, What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy. Did you catch what he said, I will give up all that I posses! I was so impressed that a man in his position would give up his crown to serve the King of Kings. As you read a little further he really got to the root by saying, O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. I will give away all my sins to know thee! Elder Neal A Maxwell once stated that all we really have to give anyway is our wills because everything else already belongs to Him. He also taught the sacrifice of animals anciently were to show us that we needed to put the animal in us on the alter of sacrifice. Give away it all to come to know him.
He has promised that if we come to Him He will show us our weaknesses and then if we will work with Him, He will make them strong. Yes it mat hurt but let Him build us up. Until we seek Him and ask of Him what and where are we lacking we will remain only half done. Who among you is able to enjoy a fruit that is not fully ripe? Thus in the end unfortunately it too is cast aside for something more fulfilling.
I have learned and am sure that I will continue to learn that trying to live with one foot in the kingdom and one in the world just makes life too hard. We then lift our hands to heaven and cry and say, "there can be no God because I have not seen His hand." You simply must choose one side.
I am acutely aware of my many struggles and great sins yet I still seek His face. I have made a commitment to myself that when I fall I will continue to rise and come to Him until either I am finally rejected or hear the words, "well done thou good and faithful servant, Thou has been faithful over a few things I will make the ruler over many."
I love Him and seek to emulate His ways, they are good and provides real peace in a tumultuous world.
