I don't know how many times I had to retype the title. I kept typing "Life" not "Lift". I think Living where we stand is also a valuable lesson.
My Ensign is getting more and more highlighted the longer I read. I keep going back to other addresses and marking them all up again.
I love the subtitle:
"Every priesthood holder stands at a unique place and has an important task that only he can perform."
I think applies to every person who has been baptized!
"Some Want to Lead, Other want to Hide."
This statement makes me think about how different some people are wired. My husband would much rather take orders and do his job. I on the other hand can't stand to sit back and watch, I not only need to be involved but most of the time I like to lead. BUT I know how to follow and because I like to lead (and am often doing it) know what makes a good follower so I try to be that follower. Neither of us want to hide and neither of us seek leadership. When called to lead, we will lead and likewise when called to follow, we follow.
I do know of those who will throw tantrums when they can't lead or the leadership position is taken from them. They not only make horrible leaders (even if they have the talent for such), but they make worse followers because they have a chip on their shoulder and think they could do a better job. They may be right, but it isn't their job, calling, position or whatever you want to call it.
"President Benson went on to say, “The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in His Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence.”"
I think the sin comes in play when we do it for the applause and accolades that come our way.
Pres. Uchtdorf said it best "Oddly enough, often the root cause of both of these tendencies—seeking to lead or seeking to hide—may be the same: selfishness."
A Better Way:
"When we seek to serve others, we are motivated not by selfishness but by charity."
Those who truly want to magnify their calling will do a bang up job in whatever calling they have, leadership or followship (not a typo). I just hope my children will learn this concept and be strong in whatever calling they are given.
"... we too easily and too often get caught up in seeking the honors of men rather than serving the Lord with all our might, mind and strength."
This is a trap that many a great leader has fallen in. I see biblical heroes fall in this trap, great men in history fall into this trap and Pres. Uchtdorf gave it a name: SELFISHNESS. That is one of the deadliest traps and leads us to lots of sins. Think about it. Almost every sin is about the self--pleasure to oneself without regards to those who you might hurt. I'm not going to list the sins because my net nanny might not let me see this post if I do, but think about the sins that get you in grave trouble--the kind you have to see the Bishop about. All of them are about selfishness.
This is the trap that Satan wants us to fall into and ensnare ourselves. Once there he then lies to us and tells us the Lord doesn't want someone this dirty in his presents. That is a true statement, but Satan forgets to tell us that there is a way to clean ourselves and it is at our Savior's feet. As in the address by Elder Jensen, our Savior has his arms out stretched ready for his lost and dirty sheep to come home. He will wash our scarlet sins away and we can become white.
I see Satan working on a young man in my family. I see him say things like the Lord doesn't love me because I lied to you. I'm no good. This family sucks. No one loves me. Satan is hard at work at this young man.
But I digress off the topic... sort of.
"When we stand close together and lift where we stand, when we care more for the glory of the kingdom of God than for our own prestige or pleasure, we can accomplish so much more."
I think my son doesn't realize the good he does do. I don't think he realized the great man he is becoming and will become if he only stays the course and continues down the path of righteousness.
An opportunity to serve and grow---that is what even the mundane of callings is.
"No calling is beneath us. Every calling provides an opportunity to serve and to grow. The Lord organized the Church in a way that offers each member an opportunity for service, which, in turn, leads to personal spiritual growth. Whatever your calling, I urge you to see it as an opportunity not only to strengthen and bless others but also to become what Heavenly Father wants you to become."
I truly have to remember this when I'm in what I call the no-brainer callings. I have the honor (I truly have to think of it that way) of knowing how to play the piano. In a ward with few who can play the piano that puts me in music most of the time. In fact in my adult life (even when I was a youth) I don't think two years go by without me in a calling that has to do with music. I often have two callings--one in music. Right now I'm primary pianist and as much as I love being in the primary and as much as I think I need a calling that will stretch me and make me grow spiritually, this is where I need to be. I need to help teach these beautiful children to have faith in their Savior. They need to know these songs so that when temptations arise in their life a song will pop into their head and they will pick the right path. "Choose the right way, and be happy." "I am a child of God." "I know my Father lives, and loves me too." "Whenever I touch a velvet rose.... I know Heavenly Father loves me." These song testify of Christ. They help these young tender hearts develop testimonies and very few know how to help them develop it through song. I'm just one of those humble servants who sits behind the piano, making music and helping bare my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel through song.
I have to remember this quote:
"It took some time before the Holy Spirit gave me understanding. I believe that the Lord has a certain calling for every man. Sometimes He grants spiritual promptings telling us that we are worthy to receive certain callings. This is a spiritual blessing, a tender mercy from God.
But sometimes we do not hear the rest of what the Lord is telling us. “Although you are worthy to serve in this position,” He may say, “this is not my calling for you. It is my desire instead that you lift where you stand.” God knows what is best for us."
"Our Heavenly Father asks that we represent Him in the noble work of reaching out and blessing the lives of His children. He asks us to stand firm with the power of the priesthood in our hearts and souls and give the calling we have at this moment our best efforts."
I only hope that I'm a better follower as I fulfill my calling.
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