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| 2013 |
“God can make more of us than we can ever make of ourselves.
We can make a man. He can make a God.”
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| 2014 |
While attending a
Nationals baseball game a few weeks ago I reflected on an identical opportunity
I had last fall as a brand new missionary. I took a picture with the same
person and the same backdrop—I couldn’t help but wonder: how much have I changed?
The hopeful news for
anyone who doesn’t like the person they have become is that through the
Atonement of Jesus Christ we can change. We are never stuck with our poor
choices, habits, lifestyles or imperfections.
Elder Donald L Hallstrom of the Presidency of the seventy talked about
this ability to change in his recent talk “What Manner of Men.” He shares a story of counseling with an older
man who was struggling in his relationships. While talking to him, the man exclaimed “Bishop,
I have a bad temper, and that’s just the way I am!” Elder Hallstrom goes on to
say “That statement stunned me that night and has haunted me ever since. Once
this man decided—once any of us conclude—“That’s just the way I am,” we give up
our ability to change.”
We often use the excuse “that’s just the way I am” to explain away
behavior.
Change takes unbelievable
courage—we have to sacrifice our will to the Lords. It takes humbling ourselves and accepting that
we can’t do everything on our own. It is a painful to be refined by the Lord.
Malachi 3:2-3
“But who may
abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is
like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
3 And he shall sit as
a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and
purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in
righteousness.”
Sacrifice: to give up something good for something
better.
Find the courage to
identify what you need to change and the strength to turn to the Lord for help!
