We had a couple of excellent talks given in sacrament meeting yesterday on obedience. One person shared this quote by Neal A. Maxwell which i have always loved:
"The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to plant on God's altar. The many other things we 'give' are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, then we are really giving something to Him! It is the only possession which is truely ours to give!"
The sacrament hymn was 169 in which it says, "For courage to accept thy will, To listen and obey. We love thee Lord... We'll walk thy chosen way." I noticed these lines years ago and they gave me strength. I contiplated on the commandment- if ye love me, keep my commandments. That's what its truely about. Someone also shared the thought that part of becoming "truly converted" is when obedience changes from being a burden to being our quest.
I am such a control freak and super organized that i always just have in my head, "If everything just went according to my plan then everything would be perfect and work out the way it is supposed to." But, wow, i am so off the mark! Heavenly Father has his plan for our family, and for me as an individual, and i need to constantly be asking him what that is instead of having my own plan. My favorite scripture mastery has always been Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
My thoughts seem somewhat jumbled as i reread them. I am just so grateful for the gospel! I do not use the resources and knowledge it gives me to the fullest. I strive to do that better. Its amazing to me to look at the living prophets and apostles and realize that they just have it all figured out :) I am grateful for their words. I know Heavenly Father only wants what's best for each of us and for us to succeed in this life!