That is my quote of the month. It comes from John 5:30. And when I combine it with what Spencer W. Kimball said in 'Miracle of Forgiveness', "To 'try' is weak. To 'do the best I can' is not strong. We must always do better than we can." It really caused me to reflect, deeply and inwardly. My mind began to paint a picture:
The world is I giant river moving swiftly. We never see what is behind us, but received warning that if we stop swimming up the current we will fall off with the waterfall that is right behind us. As I try to swim I realize that I fight with my own strength, and very often tire quickly. As my strength fails I am pushed back to word destruction. There are many people around me who have given up the struggle, believing that in the fight we are going the wrong way and working in vain. They, finding the easy way more enjoyable, float happily off the waterfall. There are rocks that act as anchors giving moments of respite allowing a much needed restful moment. There are some that would hide there forever. They soon discover that the flow of water is stronger than their ability to hold on and they are carried away. There are others who looked for help, as they swam they found a rope. Grasping it they were energized and the burden made lighter. The rope gave clear direction and purpose. Holding tight protected against an increasingly swift and rougher current.
To observe this is a frightful picture. From high up you can see people giving up after looking and searching in vain never knowing in the next instant there would have been refuge a hand willing and able to pull them to safety. And others who were pulled to safety but preferring the joyful ride to destruction let go of the hand that held them.
I case there is confusion in what the anchors or rocks represent let me clarify. Those places of temporary relief are the churches. Those who seek shelter in them are given temporary reprieve, it is soon discovered that there is more to do than sit in them idly. It is from theses anchors people are able to catch their breath and if they are looking then they will find the rope and are given the choice to grasp it and pull themselves along the rope. The rope is not the word of God as the iron rod is. It is rather, keeping your eye single to the glory God. To grab hold of that gives you the strength and courage needed to facedown even your own peril.
As the doctrine and covenants says in section 88:
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.
So to me keeping your eye single to the glory of God is this, live life the way Jesus did. Acknowledge as he did, " I can of mine own self do nothing." Keeping God in my my heart at all times and in all places. Honoring Him through service. Passing on my testimony of Him and His work through words, thoughts and actions. To some this sounds like work, to those who live this way it makes life more bearable, they feel freer and less constrained nothing ever seems to get them down and they are a joy to be around.
And where do I place myself in this picture? I am trying to be in all places at the same time. The ride to destruction looks like a lot of fun, while I have one hand on the rope and one hand on the rock and one foot trying to skirt the current. This is perhaps the most dangerous position I could find myself in. As the rush of the water increases around me I will be swept away if have not made a transition. When it comes to eye single to the glory of God you either have it or you don't. You either are with Him or your not. The choice needs to be made now and not wait till I am 99 because so much can happen between now and then. The time to decide is now.
As I continue seeking out and adopting principles to live and die with, this one looks to be the most challenging. But who said a principled life would be easy to develop?
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