Sunday, March 7, 2010

My Great Life Work

I've had aspirations at times to do great things. Perhaps one day I might write some great work that will inspire others to something truly good. Maybe I'll serve in a public office. Or maybe I'll do something else great and grand.

And maybe I won't.

I'm not always sure I want to. Given my less-than-stellar performance as an Army officer, I sometimes wonder if I really have it in me to do something great anyway. As complicated as the world gets, I sometimes yearn for simplicity. That yearning is generally balanced by a realization that I have the opportunity to do good things, and thus, I have a corresponding responsibility.

At some point, though, I realized that regardless of what else I do in life, there's something to which I aspire that will be more important than anything else I might do. If I can stay faithful and true to my covenants, my great life work will be to be a true disciple of Christ.

I'm sure that many people would be underwhelmed by such a statement. After all, what's obeying a few commandments compared to being a world leader? As for myself, though, I know that truly following God's will is more important than anything else. If I can be an example to others, encourage them to also follow Christ, and help them even a little bit to gain their own exaltation, that will be of greater value than any movie produced or any legislation passed.

Of course my family is important also; my second general life goal, after gaining my own exaltation, is to help my family to do the same.

Last thoughts for now:
I still hope to make myself useful in many ways, but despite any other things I may accomplish, I know what is most important. If I can manage to succeed at it, my great life work will be to live as a true disciple of Christ.