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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Do you have a streak going?



"You want to get a streak going.  You can carry a streak forward, but when you start losing a few you can get in a real dive."  Personally, I don't think President Monson was applying this statement just to sports.  We learn in science from Newton's first law that "an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force".  Our daily efforts to do what's right can be considered our "spiritual streak". 
At first, it is hard to start.  Starting from ground zero is always a daunting task.  An unbalanced force is necessary to get that streak going.  But what force can help?  Well, here's a couple of things that have helped me out.
1.  Pray daily.  By doing this, we invite the spirit into our lives.  "As you make a habit of approaching God in prayer, you will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him"1.  Heavenly Father wants to hear from us.  He is there for us whenever we need him.  His line is never busy. Moroni 7:48 reads: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may bedpurified even as he is pure. Amen" 2.
2.  Study the scriptures.  Scripture study is key!  The purpose of the scriptures is to draw us closer to Him.  They testify of Christ and lead us to eternal life.  Daily study will help us to be receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  It is also how we put on our daily "armor" to protect us from the things in the world.  Helaman 3:29-30 reads "Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the aword of God, which is bquick and powerful, which shall cdivide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and dnarrow course across that everlasting egulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the aright hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out" 3.
3.  Attend Church each week.  It is a commandment, plain and simple.  The Lord has asked us to set one day apart, Sunday, for worship and rest.  Sunday is a day for us to partake of the Sacrament and remember what our Savior has done for us.  "Our Sabbath-day behavior is a reflection of our commitment to honor and worship God" 4.  By going to church and keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, we will be filled with joy and peace.
By doing these 3 things, it will be the start of a whole new streak.  You will be able to feel the spirit more abundantly in life.  It will make it easier to continue to make right choices and stay on the straight and narrow path.  We will be prepared for the things that the adversary will throw at us.  Starting them may be rough and you will face challenges, but I know that the Lord will provide a way for you to be able to do them all.  He will help you down the path and help keep you there.  The "spiritual streak" is the "streak to success".  Get the ball rollin'!

3 comments:

susan bunker said...

I really loved these thoughts on getting a streak going! I loved President Monsen's interview...pretty cute! I know doing these three things makes my life much happier and more filled with love for others! I feel closer to God when I have a streak going!

Elder David Mahrt said...

I know that by abiding to these three principles we indeed will be far better off than we could possibly imagine. It may be hard at first to get into the routine of reading and praying, night and day but the return is well worth it. Many hard decisions may arise in our lives and the best way to make the correct decision is by staying close to the Spirit. He will teach us all things...
So get the ball rolling and put your shoulder to the wheel!

Elder Benjamin Hobson said...

Wow, sweet post! I really enjoyed reading it. Looking back at my own life this really applies. I can remember when I was in one of those "dives". I can also remember those times when I was on a "streak". I'm pretty sure life was awesome during the streak part because I was winning, I was progressing. Progression is what this life is all about. If we are not progressing we are digressing. Our Heavenly Father gives us every opportunity to start our own streaks and get on that path of progression. It should be a given to accept his outstretched arm but sometimes its "hard" and "uncomfortable" However, it is always worth it! Endurance = Eternal Life

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