"When we received this Gospel, we covenanted before God that we would be led, that we would be governed, and would follow the suggestions of the Holy Spirit, "
Lorenzo Snow
I have known about the gift of the Holy Ghost all my life, but I've never thought about it in quite this way. I covenanted to be led by the Holy Ghost. I've always thought of following the spirit. somehow choosing to follow seems different than being led. Following is completely under my control - I can follow or I can choose my own path. Being led by the spirit seems to take my own will out of the equation. It implies a level of submission that I have never achieved. I want to be led by the Holy Spirit. I want the Lord to lead me because his ways are better than my ways and will lead to lasting happiness and joy.
http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzo-snow/chapter-2-baptism-and-the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost?lang=eng
This morning I wanted to listen to music while I did dishes, but the spirit whispered I should listen to the talk for Sunday's relief society lesson, so I did. A few days ago, I felt like I should talk to my kids at lunch rather than mess around on my kindle, so I did. These are baby steps, but I am glad that I let myself be led rather than choosing my own path.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I was talking to Emilee. I was trying to help her calm down and come with me so we could talk. She responded by giving me two choices of what she would do next. Neither choice was acceptable to me and I told her so. She stubbornly insisted on her options and wanted me to choose one. Perhaps following can be a bit like that. I give the Lord options and then tell him I will do whichever he says. But being led means I will do what you ask, even if it doesn't fill my ideas of how things should be.
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