Monday, September 29, 2014

LIFE HACK: MONDAY

If we try to live up to some ridiculous idea of perfection we totally miss grace, we completely miss grace. Grace is something we need to embrace; the Lord knows us, and He doesn’t want us to be like everyone else. He didn’t make us to be like everyone else. We’re all individuals and he needs us to do his work to build up Zion to strengthen and edify each other. We are all part of the same body but if the body is walking around with the knee thinking it’s supposed to be the nose or the head thinking it’s supposed to be the shoulder… You can’t do your job if you think you are supposed to be something else. Just find out who you are in the Lord and make your space in the Church
Tina Richardson
 President Uchtdorf mentioned this "trend" in his closing remarks during the Womens Conference this past Saturday.



What is a life hack? A “life hack” is a technique or idea that helps or prevents you. For example, putting your car keys in your leftover bag of lunch at work will prevent you from going home without your leftovers. 

"Obeying the commandments of God", can be a pretty intimidating statement for most people, even those who consider themselves devout. In the face of this statement a question arise's , "How do I do that? How do I know if I am doing it right?" What action can I take to make sure that remember to obey that commandment? (At least these are questions that I have asked and continue to ask so that I won't get it wrong).  Obedience doesn’t just happen, It is a learned response to an active stimulus, that over time evolves into an integral part of your overall behavior.  I am sure President Uchtdorf wanted to convey to most that "sacred things are not to be trifled with". But in my own puny opinion, I believe that the commandment(s) were designed as a guide to a more abundant life for those are committed to God. The "language" of the scriptures can be often difficult to understand and make sense of. So in deference to Nephi, in order to "liken" (language) the scriptures to ourselves, an evolving language has trended. As imperfect humans, we need "prompts"

A man asked Jesus "What is the greatest commandment". Jesus said "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, your might and your mind and your soul". And a second which is just as important, "Love one another, love your neighbor as I have loved you and on these two, hang all the other commandments". Now there is another word "hang", what does that mean? It means that when we consider and obey these two "great" commandments; they act as a prompt and motivation to obey all of the others. Jesus made it easy, as we seek out God, we seek him as we seek a friend, as one who cares for us. We respond to that love and in turn we want to please Him. How do we please God, it's like trying to find a gift for the person who has everything. We love Him by loving our neighbors, our families, the stranger begging for a dollar. We love him by making good choices, by being considerate of each other. Love is obedience and obedience is love. Do we need a "life hack" to remember to love, to be obedient? I think so, just until we realize that "easy" is not for everything, but being mindful is better.         

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