While reading "The Possible Dream" By Mary Ellen Smoot I had some thoughts.. I'll share.. :)
Have you ever asked 'WHY ME?' I do all the time. Why did I have to be the one to deal with the grumpy coworker? Why do I have to be the one she calls and complains to all the time? Why do I have to do the cleaning? Why was I called to that calling? Why is this SO HARD? Why am I asked to deal with this.. I CANT DO IT!
Look at the story of Enoch. He was alot like us, he was given a challenge and at first, doubted his abilities to do what was asked of him.... How many times have you been asked to do something and think you are underqualified, dont have the time/energy, and are not the right person for the job?
"[Enoch] heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off" (Moses 6:27).
We live in a world much like Enochs. We are surrounded by worldy cares, we interact every day with people that would have us not believe, and that would have us feel that we are in this worldy journey alone.. with no one to count on but ourselves. I know that is not true.. but there sure are times when I forget, and I feel like I am inadequte to do the things Im supposed to. ...
Even Enoch himself had a moment of asking "Why me" "And when Enoch had heard [the Lord's] words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake . . . : Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant" (Moses 6:31–32).
At first, Enoch could only think of his weaknesses. He was slow of speech, unpopular, and "but a lad" (Moses 6:31). I think of my weaknesses first all the time.. But the Lord saw greatness in him. I know that the Lord see's greatness in us as well.
I love what Pres. Hinckley said- "I believe that I am a child of God, endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that there is something of divinity within me and within each of you. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us."
Like you and me, Enoch was a little overwhelmed from the challenge before him.. but with the help of the Lord, he did it.. he faced his challenge and he became GREAT.. So how do we BECOME GREAT in our challenges?
Well.. Mary Ellen suggests that we DO ask 'Why Me?' - Ask it, not with doubt, but with 'all the faith you can muster' We must ask the Lord what he wants us to do.. and what it is that YOU uniquely have to offer the situation. In this upcoming year, when in doubt, ask yourself.. "What can I contribute?" "Why was I chosen to be the mother of these children?" "What can I do to strengthen the sisters in my ward?" ect. We each have purpose. The time for procrastination was yesterday, BEGIN! Do the best you can, and know that you aren't asked to do anything you cant handle.
Look at the story of Enoch. He was alot like us, he was given a challenge and at first, doubted his abilities to do what was asked of him.... How many times have you been asked to do something and think you are underqualified, dont have the time/energy, and are not the right person for the job?
"[Enoch] heard a voice from heaven, saying: Enoch, my son, prophesy unto this people, and say unto them—Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off" (Moses 6:27).
We live in a world much like Enochs. We are surrounded by worldy cares, we interact every day with people that would have us not believe, and that would have us feel that we are in this worldy journey alone.. with no one to count on but ourselves. I know that is not true.. but there sure are times when I forget, and I feel like I am inadequte to do the things Im supposed to. ...
Even Enoch himself had a moment of asking "Why me" "And when Enoch had heard [the Lord's] words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake . . . : Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant" (Moses 6:31–32).
At first, Enoch could only think of his weaknesses. He was slow of speech, unpopular, and "but a lad" (Moses 6:31). I think of my weaknesses first all the time.. But the Lord saw greatness in him. I know that the Lord see's greatness in us as well.
I love what Pres. Hinckley said- "I believe that I am a child of God, endowed with a divine birthright. I believe that there is something of divinity within me and within each of you. I believe that we have a godly inheritance and that it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our opportunity to cultivate and nurture the very best of these qualities within us."
Like you and me, Enoch was a little overwhelmed from the challenge before him.. but with the help of the Lord, he did it.. he faced his challenge and he became GREAT.. So how do we BECOME GREAT in our challenges?
Well.. Mary Ellen suggests that we DO ask 'Why Me?' - Ask it, not with doubt, but with 'all the faith you can muster' We must ask the Lord what he wants us to do.. and what it is that YOU uniquely have to offer the situation. In this upcoming year, when in doubt, ask yourself.. "What can I contribute?" "Why was I chosen to be the mother of these children?" "What can I do to strengthen the sisters in my ward?" ect. We each have purpose. The time for procrastination was yesterday, BEGIN! Do the best you can, and know that you aren't asked to do anything you cant handle.
WHY ME? Why do I have to work with a person with such an AWFULL attitude? Because they NEED you.. because YOU NEED THEM. The Lord knows what you need.. how you handle and react to challenges will help you grow and develop as a person.
Life is hard. I loved what Mary said- "But do you suppose the call that came to Enoch could be for each of us who knows the gospel of Jesus Christ and yet still waste time complaining? Are we going to allow Satan to win? We can't afford to settle back in our easy chairs and say, "What can I do? I'm just one person."
Instead we all MUST say- "I am one person. And ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me'" (Philippians 4:13).
What are your "WHY ME?'S" In life? Your Children, Your Job, Your Calling, Your Neighbor, Your 'needy friend', Your Spouse, Your Car, Your house, Your Illness?
Find them.. realize what they are and ACTIVELY WORK ON THEM. I testify to what President Hinckley said when he stated that we have a Godly ineritance. It IS our responsibility, obligation and OPPORTUNITY to CULTIVATE and NURTURE those qualities within us. I know God knows what those qualities are, and gives us those 'why me' challenges in life to help bring those divine qualities out. Let him do it.. do as the spirit directs, be still, listen to modern and ancient prophets. Ask in faith, and you will receive guidance in how to not only get through those 'why me' situations, but to become GREAT in the process.
Life is hard. I loved what Mary said- "But do you suppose the call that came to Enoch could be for each of us who knows the gospel of Jesus Christ and yet still waste time complaining? Are we going to allow Satan to win? We can't afford to settle back in our easy chairs and say, "What can I do? I'm just one person."
Instead we all MUST say- "I am one person. And ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me'" (Philippians 4:13).
What are your "WHY ME?'S" In life? Your Children, Your Job, Your Calling, Your Neighbor, Your 'needy friend', Your Spouse, Your Car, Your house, Your Illness?
Find them.. realize what they are and ACTIVELY WORK ON THEM. I testify to what President Hinckley said when he stated that we have a Godly ineritance. It IS our responsibility, obligation and OPPORTUNITY to CULTIVATE and NURTURE those qualities within us. I know God knows what those qualities are, and gives us those 'why me' challenges in life to help bring those divine qualities out. Let him do it.. do as the spirit directs, be still, listen to modern and ancient prophets. Ask in faith, and you will receive guidance in how to not only get through those 'why me' situations, but to become GREAT in the process.
