Perfect Faith, The Spirit That Lives In All Of Us, The Value of Introspective Questions
The Disciple-Leader Newsletter #35 // September 16, 2023.
Discipleship. Leadership. Mental Performance.
DISCIPLESHIP
"Don't get overwhelmed by the many large, difficult tasks of life. If you commit to doing the 'easy' things -- the 'small' things God asks you to do -- and you do them as perfectly as you can, big things will follow. Some of these 'small and easy' things you could do perfectly are daily prayer, studying the scriptures, living the Word of Wisdom, attending church, praying with real intent, and paying tithes and offerings. Do these even when you don't want to. These 'sacrifices' may appear to be small, but they are important, for sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
In this life, you will never reach perfection. But there are things you can execute to perfection.
Praying daily with real intent
Studying the scriptures
Attending church
Living the Word of Wisdom
Paying tithes and offerings
Perhaps executing these acts to perfection is how we can, in this life, live the Savior's command to have "perfect faith" in Him (2 Nephi 9:23).
There simply isn't a good excuse for not striving to be perfect in these "small and easy" things (although as was written last week, considering the consequences of small things, there really are no small things).
Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, “I have heard many well-intentioned Church leaders and teachers instruct congregations to find time for daily scripture study, ‘even if it’s only one or two verses per day.’ Though I understand the point they are trying to teach and applaud the sincerity of that conviction, may I gently suggest that if we are too busy to spend at least a few minutes every day in the scriptures, then we are probably too busy and should find a way to eliminate or modify whatever activities are making that simple task impossible."
If you fail, don't beat yourself up. If you are too busy for this, change. Strive. And as Elder Uchtdorf taught, expect God to respond to your faith with an abundance of blessings.
LEADERSHIP
"You should remember that in every person lives the same spirit which lives in us."
Arthur Schopenhauer
Think about how you like others making you feel. If you're anything like me, you love being liked. You love feeling admired. You love someone showing genuine interest in you.
You should remember that in every person lives those exact same desires which live in you. Everyone wants to be liked, feel admired, and feel interesting.
Be the leader who makes others feel that way. In the words of the greatest Leader of all time, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them"(Matthew 7:12).
MENTAL PERFORMANCE
"Once you have learned to ask questions – relevant and appropriate and substantial questions – you have learned how to learn."
Neil Postman
To the above Neil Postman quote, I'd add once you have learned to ask the correct introspective questions, you have learned how to learn about yourself and how to approach important decisions in your life.
Here are 7 clarifying questions to ask yourself when considering important decisions in life.
What story do I want written about my life?
What story do I want my kids to read about my life?
Am I living life by design or default?
Am I the creator of my circumstances (agent to act) or the creature of my circumstances (object to be acted upon)?
Am I actively writing the story of my life? Or am I letting someone else hold the pen?
Fortune favors the bold and God favors the faithful. Is my faith bold? Are my actions bold? Are my intentions bold? Is my heart bold?
Am I leading by faith and conviction or fear and trepidation?
It's a crucial mental exercise to "ponder the path of thy feet". Are you living the life you want? Are you doing what God put you here to do? Filter your decisions through inspired introspective questions. Use these. Create your own. As prayerfully do this, the Holy Ghost "will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32).
Disciple-Leadership: Jesus-led. Lead like Jesus.