One think that has kept coming up this week for me is Elder Oaks' Good, Better, Best talk from a few years ago. We talked about it lots at institute - are we doing the best thing we could be doing? Are we doing what God wants us to do, not just doing good things?
Also, when I was asking someone for advice in a job decision, he also referred to this talk: "Both are good. This is a good, better, best situation."
I think there is a reason this is getting emphasized at this time of my life. As I have thought back on these experiences, I realize that I have focused mostly on doing "good" or "better" since I got back from my mission. I have not really focused on doing "best", though. I do not want to be losing any opportunities because I am not willing to do what is best.
This is one thing that I will be implementing now. For example, it is good to do homework. It is better, however, to put the Lord first and spend time studying the scriptures and going to the Temple. Now, there is no reason you can't do both, but homework should not be priority number one.
As I work to change my priorities and put the best things first, I will be able to run my life, rather than having my life run by my obligations. I will be able to do those things that are most important, the things God wants me to do.
I completely agree with everything you said here. I have definitely found myself putting homework and other good things before going to the temple. It's something that I need to work on! You are right that it is so much more important to go to the temple. Thanks for writing this and reminding all of us :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think one of life's great challenges is to prioritize correctly. Sometimes it's just so easy to do the easy, fun thing instead of the harder, but ultimately more worthwhile and rewarding thing. But like you said, we've just got to do it.
ReplyDeleteYou make some really good points. It reminds of counsel that I have heard before about how a distraction does not necessarily have to be a bad thing to be a distraction. Even worthwhile pursuits and keep us from is the best thing for us if we let them or if we spend too much time focusing on them. I think that you are taking a very healthy approach by stepping back and deciding what is best for you in the long term.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really good post. Those decisions can be hard, but sometimes we won't receive directions in them, we have to decide for ourselves, and then based on our experiences, we are able to make better and better decisions as we move along in life. This is great advice from the prophets of our day, and we can't be afraid to take risks sometimes.
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