Here's a question to think about: "How can we best stand up for
what we believe?"
I'm not going to try to tell you what you should post on Facebook or
Instagram and I'm not going to attempt to drag you to do your home-teaching or visiting teaching--
Because standing up for what you believe is not just about what we say or do.
It's about who we are.
There are many scriptural references that invite us to, "Arise
and shake ourselves from the dust." That is the greatest way to stand
up for what you believe--being a living example. When we are applying the
atonement in our daily lives we will be standing up for our beliefs even as we
walk down the street. It will be seen in the smile on our faces and the light
in our eyes.
For a lot of us the biggest obstacle holding us back from getting
more "vertical" with our beliefs is ourselves. What I will say next
is intended to be said with love and by the Comforter so that those reading
might feel some of the same motivational promptings from the Spirit of God as I
did as I studied this topic.
The truth is, we have a lot of false beliefs. I'm not talking about
the church. I'm talking about us personally.
False belief #1: "I'm not good enough."
Also comes in the form of, I'm not strong enough, smart enough,
pretty enough and even righteous enough. We may agree with our friend from
the School of Rock when he declared, "I'm not cool enough to be in the
band." Well you are cool enough to be in God's band--And anything that
makes you feel otherwise is a lie from the devil himself. The important part is
to remember why we are good enough. It's because we come from divinity. In
speaking of The Lord, Paul said, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being... For we are
also his offspring." (Acts 17:28) Our potential is made possible
through the atoning blood of Christ.
So, let's apply the atonement.
False belief #2
"I have good enough excuses."
One of my favorite Nike posters goes a little something like this:
I'm not trying to be overbearing. But I testify that the joy of the
gospel is worth it. It's worth every trial and every hardship. It's worth
everyday that the lord sees fit to allow you to struggle with what He needs you
to struggle with. It's worth every step toward Him no matter how broken or
imperfect.
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the
blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold,
they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold
out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may
dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that
these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
(Mosiah 2:41)"
So let's apply the atonement.
False belief #3
"I'm not ready."
We can talk about the trials that come into our lives because of work and
school, but honestly for most if not all of us, our trials can go much, much
deeper than that. We may feel wounded and held back from the front lines--unable
to arise, "running together with our armor girded about our loins, covenanting
with the Lord that we will never forsake him," like the faithful Nephites under
the direction of Captain Moroni. We feel as if we are better off left behind—“others
will get it done in my place.” For those of you who may feel similar feelings
as these I bare you my solemn witness that there is a Balm in Gilead. Christ
lives and He is the Savior and He needs you now more than ever.
"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to
be great."
So let's apply the atonement.
If we are applying the atonement in our everyday life our natural
inclination will be to stand up for what is right. We'll do our home-teaching
and visiting teaching. We'll know what to post on social media and when and to whom. We
won't have to make the decision to defend our beliefs at the time of conflict.
It will already be in our nature. As Will Smith said, "If you stay
ready, you ain't never gotta get ready." We should always remember the
council of Jeffrey R. Holland when he said, "Defend
your beliefs with courtesy and compassion--but defend them."
You are good enough, you don't need excuses and you can stand
for what's right starting today--Because of Jesus Christ who makes weak things
become strong. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
