When our hearts are determined to do right, the Lord gives us the power to do so.
-John H. Groberg
So yesterday, I was watching The Other Side of Heaven because I was getting all pumped about serving a mission and junk. Anyways, there was one part of the movie that really stuck out to me that teaches a pretty dang good lesson. It led me to read a talk by Groberg in the October 1993 General Conference.
BACKSTORY- John Groberg was a missionary way back in the day for several islands in Tonga. In order to get from one island to the other, the only way to travel was by boat. One day, a member told him that if they would be on a certain harbor on a particular island the next day, there would be a family who would listen to the discussions. The next morning he, and a couple other men, began to travel in that direction. As they started to get further into the Pacific, the wind had completely stopped, which became a problem because in order to sail, you need wind. Groberg and the men prayed for wind several times, but there was no wind whatsoever. Groberg didn't understand, he was confident that the Lord could control the elements to bring them the way they needed to go since it was a righteous desire. Still, the harder they prayed, there was still no wind. Finally, one of the older men told Groberg to get in the rowboat because there was a family there waiting for them, and that they had to leave now. "The old man concentrated his efforts and energy on fulfilling the calling he had from the Lord—to get a missionary to a family that wanted to hear the gospel. He was the Lord’s wind that day." After hours of rowing, they reached their destination and they taught the family, who eventually were baptized.
I think a lot of times, we sit and wait for miracles to happen. We think that since it is a righteous desire, it can be handed to us without working to receive them. I know that I am sometimes guilty of hoping for something without doing my part because of fear of what someone may think or even laziness. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17). Sure, I can say I have all the faith in the world, but without the willingness to work, we do not truthfully have faith.
"We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impressions to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of. On the boat, five men prayed, but only one heard and acted. God does hear our prayers. God knows more than we do. He has infinitely greater experience than we have. We should never stop moving because we think our way is barred or the only door we can go through is closed."
We are all instruments in the Lord's hands. The Lord's work could not progress if his servants did not play a HUGE roll in bringing the gospel to the world. In several months, there will almost be 100,000 missionaries in the field all around the world. In our own ways, we can be the Lord's wind; not just as missionaries, but as those who believe in Christ. If we truly have faith in Christ, we need to be ready and willing to do the things that he asks us to do, no matter how hard or impossible it may seem, because through Christ, nothing is impossible.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. (Philip. 4:13)
BACKSTORY- John Groberg was a missionary way back in the day for several islands in Tonga. In order to get from one island to the other, the only way to travel was by boat. One day, a member told him that if they would be on a certain harbor on a particular island the next day, there would be a family who would listen to the discussions. The next morning he, and a couple other men, began to travel in that direction. As they started to get further into the Pacific, the wind had completely stopped, which became a problem because in order to sail, you need wind. Groberg and the men prayed for wind several times, but there was no wind whatsoever. Groberg didn't understand, he was confident that the Lord could control the elements to bring them the way they needed to go since it was a righteous desire. Still, the harder they prayed, there was still no wind. Finally, one of the older men told Groberg to get in the rowboat because there was a family there waiting for them, and that they had to leave now. "The old man concentrated his efforts and energy on fulfilling the calling he had from the Lord—to get a missionary to a family that wanted to hear the gospel. He was the Lord’s wind that day." After hours of rowing, they reached their destination and they taught the family, who eventually were baptized.
I think a lot of times, we sit and wait for miracles to happen. We think that since it is a righteous desire, it can be handed to us without working to receive them. I know that I am sometimes guilty of hoping for something without doing my part because of fear of what someone may think or even laziness. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17). Sure, I can say I have all the faith in the world, but without the willingness to work, we do not truthfully have faith.
"We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impressions to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of. On the boat, five men prayed, but only one heard and acted. God does hear our prayers. God knows more than we do. He has infinitely greater experience than we have. We should never stop moving because we think our way is barred or the only door we can go through is closed."
We are all instruments in the Lord's hands. The Lord's work could not progress if his servants did not play a HUGE roll in bringing the gospel to the world. In several months, there will almost be 100,000 missionaries in the field all around the world. In our own ways, we can be the Lord's wind; not just as missionaries, but as those who believe in Christ. If we truly have faith in Christ, we need to be ready and willing to do the things that he asks us to do, no matter how hard or impossible it may seem, because through Christ, nothing is impossible.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. (Philip. 4:13)