It seems that everyday we are faced with the ability to look away from the things that are important. It is easier to sit down and watch our favorite TV show than to sit down and read our scriptures. It is easier to listen to the whisperings of the adversary than it is to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.
In the talk, Never Leave Him, by Neil L. Andersen Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles given at this past general conference, he talks about never leaving the Savior’s side, although at times it may seem tempting or easier than choosing the right way.
I loved the line, “Not one of us wants this journey to be a brief flirtation with spirituality or even a notable but finite chapter.” Do you ever look at your life and think that you are only flirting with spirituality instead of reveling in it? I do. Sometimes I think that it is so much more difficult to hang on to those spiritual moments in our lives when the world is swirling with temptation and distraction. Even as a stay at home Mom, it seems that life should be simpler. But, there are still temptations all around us.
He talks about two words that will signal to us when there is danger. Offended and ashamed. How often do we get offended by something someone said to us and it shakes our testimony? How often do we hear a point made by a friend against something we believe in and something inside us doubts what we know to be true? How often are we ashamed of who we are as members of the church? Each of us faces these moments of doubt, but if we stay close to our Savior, we won’t be easily offended, and we won’t be ashamed.
In my life, I find that it is often hard to be a member of the church. It is hard to be the one standing alone. But, as we put the Lord first in our lives, it will be easier to feel Him, and easier to stand up for what we believe in. Or as Elder Anderson stated, “As you choose not to be offended or ashamed, you will feel His love and approval. You will know that you are becoming more like Him.”
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