November 18, 2012

         Good evening. It's my turn tonight. Months and years from now I will always be able to say that through this mission experience Sherrie and I are the ones who have probably grown the most and been taught immensely by the Lord during this time. If we have played a small part in helping someone else grow or become closer to the Lord that will be an added bonus to us. I think I can safely say that all of us in our various faiths at some time or another seek answers, personal revelation, and direction from God, Jesus Christ, a higher being. We always wish that those answers would come to us immediately, in a strong "rush of wind", or in some way that would leave no doubt in our mind it was from the Lord. But I have found at least for me that isn't the way He works in our lives. I have found that His way of answering will usually come in small subtle ways, such as through the scriptures, through the words or actions of others around us or in other moments we would least expect it. Neal A. Maxwell said this unexpected direction or answers given is called "incremental revelation". Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. The Lord is our tender tutor, measuring and giving what we are ready for.
       Which brings me to another point that I have learned. The Lord doesn't answer all of our prayers. That's because he expects us to sometimes use our free agency, our common sense, our experiences that we have learned thus far in our lives to make some decisions on our own without waiting for His answers or revelation to come. That doesn't mean we should be independent of Him, nor that we should not ask Him for direction, and guidance. It just means that He wants us to in some ways gain our own spiritual self-reliance rather than becoming "spiritual robots" to Him.
      As our mission continues and I have some "aha" moments, I know that I am gaining more confidence to make the right decisions, I am learning more how to help someone in some small way, and how to listen to what The Lord has to say.
      Have a good week.

Elder John