Each and everyone of us has more potential than we realize and the capacity to do great things. My hope is to help you see that being great and accomplishing much in your life has nothing to do with chance and everything to do with the choices we make.
The reason I mention chance is because I believe that some may believe that our potential for greatness is limited by what we were "pre-ordained" to accomplish or by the gifts, talents, and privileges that we were blessed with. That is simply not the case.
It is for that reason that I hope to highlight part of Elder Bednar's talk. He helps us to see how the Lord chooses his disciples and those who he calls to do great things. Elder Bednar stats off by reading a scripture in 1 Nephi 1:20 which reads:
“But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance”
He later goes into detail about the word chosen and explains:
I wish to emphasize the point that Elder Bedar makes that to be or to become chosen is something that you and I can choose to be.
I must confess that I too have believed that being chosen is an "exclusive status" that some are called to and with that, received special gifts and abilities that are innate and that I would never be able to possess. Which I have come to learn is simply not true. Each of us has the privilege and opportunity to be one of the lords chosen and with that, be blessed by the Lords tender mercies and become "mighty even unto the power of deliverance"
Often throughout my life I often am reminded of the continual war that wages on between good and evil. There are times that I think to myself if I had to pick a group of men and women to stand with me and fight against the evils of the world and to fight for the Lord, who would I choose? Knowing that I would pick only those who are the most faithful, righteous, honest, trustworthy, and kind. I look into our congregation at church and find myself picking those who I would gladly enlist to be on my side. People I know who I could trust to fight till the end and that would not falter. Today I sit here and think to myself, would the Lord choose me? If he had to hand pick people to stand with him in the fight to save the souls of his children, would I be one of them?
When I think of those whom the Lord has chosen, that is what I think of. Those who have proven themselves worthy to be on his side. Those who have shown that they want to fight with him and for him for the rest of their lives. I am learning now that our choices and willingness to serve him are what qualify us to be apart of his army, and not as Elder Bednar pointed out an "exclusive status" that only a select few are privileged to.
In 2 Cor. 8:12 it says "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." This emphasizes that the Lord cares more about our willingness to serve than our skills and talents that we may or may not have.
Elder Maxwell taught, "More often than not, calls come to those who feel unready, but who are actually ready enough in the view of God, rather than to those who feel ready themselves, but who are, in God’s wisdom, unready. Not only is the Lord a perfect personnel manager in getting the right individual at the right time in the right place, but, simultaneously, he is developing each of us if we will follow his direction."
"The word chosen in 1 Nephi 1:20 [1 Ne. 1:20] is central to understanding the concept of the Lord’s tender mercies. The dictionary indicates that chosen suggests one who is selected, taken by preference, or picked out. It also can be used to refer to the elect or chosen of God (Oxford English Dictionary Online, second ed. [1989], “Chosen”).
Some individuals who hear or read this message erroneously may discount or dismiss in their personal lives the availability of the tender mercies of the Lord, believing that “I certainly am not one who has been or ever will be chosen.” We may falsely think that such blessings and gifts are reserved for other people who appear to be more righteous or who serve in visible Church callings. I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us.
To be or to become chosen is not an exclusive status conferred upon us. Rather, you and I ultimately determine if we are chosen. "
I must confess that I too have believed that being chosen is an "exclusive status" that some are called to and with that, received special gifts and abilities that are innate and that I would never be able to possess. Which I have come to learn is simply not true. Each of us has the privilege and opportunity to be one of the lords chosen and with that, be blessed by the Lords tender mercies and become "mighty even unto the power of deliverance"
Often throughout my life I often am reminded of the continual war that wages on between good and evil. There are times that I think to myself if I had to pick a group of men and women to stand with me and fight against the evils of the world and to fight for the Lord, who would I choose? Knowing that I would pick only those who are the most faithful, righteous, honest, trustworthy, and kind. I look into our congregation at church and find myself picking those who I would gladly enlist to be on my side. People I know who I could trust to fight till the end and that would not falter. Today I sit here and think to myself, would the Lord choose me? If he had to hand pick people to stand with him in the fight to save the souls of his children, would I be one of them?
When I think of those whom the Lord has chosen, that is what I think of. Those who have proven themselves worthy to be on his side. Those who have shown that they want to fight with him and for him for the rest of their lives. I am learning now that our choices and willingness to serve him are what qualify us to be apart of his army, and not as Elder Bednar pointed out an "exclusive status" that only a select few are privileged to.
In 2 Cor. 8:12 it says "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." This emphasizes that the Lord cares more about our willingness to serve than our skills and talents that we may or may not have.
Elder Maxwell taught, "More often than not, calls come to those who feel unready, but who are actually ready enough in the view of God, rather than to those who feel ready themselves, but who are, in God’s wisdom, unready. Not only is the Lord a perfect personnel manager in getting the right individual at the right time in the right place, but, simultaneously, he is developing each of us if we will follow his direction."
"The gross size of our talent inventories is less important than the net use of our talents. Just as the widow with her mite gave all that she had, so those with limited talents may give all they have. Others who are highly endowed may not give fully all of their talents, but hold back a portion of that which they have." (Its service, not status, that counts- Neal A Maxwell)
The Lord cares more about those that are willing to serve him and give their all than anything else. With a willingness to serve him and continually try to get better we become one of his chosen saints we will become something great as he shapes and molds us in our service rendered to him.
At a young age I made the choice on who's side I was on and that I would remain on that side until the end. I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained that often the Lord calls on the weak and humble to accomplish great things and that he shapes and molds those who serve him to become much more than they could have ever imagined. I have a testimony that each of us can become one of the Lords chosen and be blessed with all that comes with that, but that is determined by what we do with what we have been given and if we follow him. I echo the words of Joshua who said " And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve......but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
My testimony is firm in the Gospel and I have chosen who I will stand by. I know that I will make mistakes, I know that I will fall short, and I know that I am not the best at many things, but I also know that, "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.". While I may lack much, my willingness is there and I know he calls those who are faithful regardless of ability. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Lord cares more about those that are willing to serve him and give their all than anything else. With a willingness to serve him and continually try to get better we become one of his chosen saints we will become something great as he shapes and molds us in our service rendered to him.
At a young age I made the choice on who's side I was on and that I would remain on that side until the end. I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained that often the Lord calls on the weak and humble to accomplish great things and that he shapes and molds those who serve him to become much more than they could have ever imagined. I have a testimony that each of us can become one of the Lords chosen and be blessed with all that comes with that, but that is determined by what we do with what we have been given and if we follow him. I echo the words of Joshua who said " And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve......but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
My testimony is firm in the Gospel and I have chosen who I will stand by. I know that I will make mistakes, I know that I will fall short, and I know that I am not the best at many things, but I also know that, "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.". While I may lack much, my willingness is there and I know he calls those who are faithful regardless of ability. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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