"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."
Doctrine and Covenants 9:8
I was thinking about this today and wondering how often we just really don't think about the things in our lives, expecting them to just work out or go well. Perhaps some of the time this is faith, and faith is totally good... but maybe some other times if we're honest with ourselves, it is just plain blindness or laziness--expecting God to do things for us that we could do for ourselves with a little effort.
We sometimes say things like "I'm not good at that," not as acknowledgements that we need to change and do better, but used more as get-out-of-jail-free cards, so that no one ever expects us to change in that area. Throughout the scriptures God asks us to work out our salvation (Alma 34:37, Philippians 2:12, Mormon 9:27), to be anxiously engaged in a good cause (D&C 58:27), that faith without works is dead (James 2:20, 26), and, as above, that we need to think, study, choose, and take action.
Today, let's jump in and start figuring out the answers to the test, rather than just waiting for God to provide the answer sheet. Let's trust, and have faith... but let's also study and work. Let's think things through, consult with God, and take action in our lives without waiting for God to ask. As we do so, God will help us to know that we're on the right track, and will bless our efforts.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:8
I was thinking about this today and wondering how often we just really don't think about the things in our lives, expecting them to just work out or go well. Perhaps some of the time this is faith, and faith is totally good... but maybe some other times if we're honest with ourselves, it is just plain blindness or laziness--expecting God to do things for us that we could do for ourselves with a little effort.
We sometimes say things like "I'm not good at that," not as acknowledgements that we need to change and do better, but used more as get-out-of-jail-free cards, so that no one ever expects us to change in that area. Throughout the scriptures God asks us to work out our salvation (Alma 34:37, Philippians 2:12, Mormon 9:27), to be anxiously engaged in a good cause (D&C 58:27), that faith without works is dead (James 2:20, 26), and, as above, that we need to think, study, choose, and take action.
Today, let's jump in and start figuring out the answers to the test, rather than just waiting for God to provide the answer sheet. Let's trust, and have faith... but let's also study and work. Let's think things through, consult with God, and take action in our lives without waiting for God to ask. As we do so, God will help us to know that we're on the right track, and will bless our efforts.
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