I Was Saved For This

Yesterday a group of young ladies and I were conversing on how we can learn to love God more than the world.  We acknowledged the many distractions that can separate us from our Father when not placed in the right order on our priority lists, such as school work, social lives, exercise, media, and even sleep.  One distraction I would like to expand upon is vanity.

Some days we just like to look nice; that cute outfit and good hair day help us feel confident and content, but what happens when we place the world's opinion above God's?  What happens when we wake up early in the morning to do our hair, make up, and clothes, but neglect to pray and study the word of God?  What happens when we spend the majority of our money on the latest trends and fads instead of investing in our future and serving others?  What happens when we cave in to peer pressure and turn our backs on righteous paths?

As we spoke of this I asked myself, "Would I rather be known for my trendy style and modern ways, or remembered for my kind heart and serving hands?"  It really comes down to where you want your legacy to reside.  What kind of person you want to be remembered as, and even if you want to be remembered, can influence your present actions.  I don't know about you, but I sure would like to make the world a better place for at least a few people, even if that means living my life off the beaten path of modern thinking and possessions.

Over one hundred and fifty years ago, Latter-day Saint pioneers trekked west across the United States to seek refuge from persecution.  From their records we know of the extreme physical difficulties they went through, walking hundreds of miles with wagons and handcarts, many falling ill and passing along the way.  Sometimes when I ponder on their experiences, I think to myself: give me a handcart, as I would gladly pull for miles through physical exhaustion and harsh conditions instead of face a world dead set on reducing me to a mental and emotional mess of confusion and contradiction.  I'm certainly not saying that what they went through was not harder than what we today are going through, but I am saying that I feel I am more accustomed and willing to endure physical tribulation than that of the spiritual attacks we see so much of today.  Attacks on family structure, marriage duration, morality, and so much more.

Sometimes I wish for a wagon, but then I remember.

I remember that I am part of a royal generation.  I remember that God has saved me, and others of this day and age, for a special purpose on this Earth at this time.  I remember that if God has put me here in this period of spiritual war, then He knows I am strong enough to fight against it, and win.  I remember that "I know I'm somebody, because God don't make no junk."  I remember that He is all knowing, and all loving, and all so ready to help me fight my battles.  I remember that I can walk off the beaten path and find true peace and genuine happiness.  I know I can make it.  I was made for this; I was saved for this.

So grab your handcart, and don't forget to pack your prayers, because we're going on an adventure.