Four Titles

"To will what God wills brings blessings." is the quote that Sister Griffin used to begin the lesson based on the talk given by President Uchtdorf last April conference. The talk was titled  Four Titles, given with the priesthood in mind. I sat and listened and thought that whenever he said "men"  or "priesthood bearer" all I had to do was substitute in "me" and the principles and blessings transferred quite well ( with the exception of priesthood ordinances).
"We men/women  sometimes identify ourselves by titles. Many of us have multiple titles, and each says something important about our identity. For example, some titles describe our roles in families, such as son,/daughter brother/,sister husband/wife, and father,mother. Other titles describe our occupations in the world, such as doctor, soldier, or craftsman. And some describe our positions within the Church." These titles can describe us and our use of time but there is a greater call which is daughter of our Heavenly Father. In this role we work our entire lives to reach our individual goals and those goals of our Father in Heaven, trying to fulfill our potential. In our relationship while at church, we can feel the brother and sisterhood that develops amongst those in attendance.
We are all children of our Heavenly Father no matter how we behave and what we do. We are His family now as we were before our earthly life. No matter how hard we try to live up to what He expects of us, we will fall short. I liked the statement that mentions that so many of us choose to judge ourselves by our fault/sins. That is exactly what Satan is hoping for; defeat ourselves and deprive ourselves of the rightful blessings we should enjoy. We stumble as a little child and should do as they do, struggle back upward and take off again. One step at a time will take us to those lofty goals for which we can aim. Strong helping hands reach down from above in the form of friends/sisters and sometimes heavenly helpers.
Our Savior died for us and the atonement is one of our greatest gifts. Remember that explanation of the word? "At - one-ment/with" If we attempt to keep the commandments over and over again, we will strengthen our resolve and our commitments to live as the Savior wants us to do. God wants us to succeed as he watches us grow. He is not applauding when we fall.
Our next title is Disciple of Christ. "But while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ, it is not meant to make us all the same. Sometimes we confuse differences in personality with sin. We can even make the mistake of thinking that because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing to God. This line of thinking leads some to believe that the Church wants to create every member from a single mold—that each one should look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would contradict the genius of God, who created every man different from his brother, every son different from his father. Even identical twins are not identical in their personalities and spiritual identities." I bet most of us have had inner thoughts when we encounter others' ways of doing things differently that give us pause to reevaluate our behavior. When we look at our differences, we can see strength in our diversification. This church thrives when we are different. As a musician, I can definitely see the merit of that. Who needs a congregation full of music conductors? With our differences, we might get discouraged at times but we must never give up. Step back and take a deep breath and get up and go again. Someone needs us to do that, even if we don't know who it is. "As home teachers, we are healers. As priesthood leaders/relief society sisters, we are healers. As fathers/mothers, sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, and husbands/wives, we should be committed and dedicated healers." Even though we as sisters do not bless and anoint the sick, we have a place in this healing process. Once again, that diversity comes shining through. I bet  you can think of a time when some kind sister  did something for you, just because.

"The Savior is the worker of miracles. He is the great Healer. He is our example, our light, even in the darkest moments, and He shows us the right way."

Let us follow Him. Let us rise up to our role and become healers by serving God and our fellowmen." When we serve, blessings flow.

The fourth title we all share is heir of eternal life. " As sons/daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are heirs to all that He has.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Never feel unneeded  or overlooked. Your contribution is unique and important.

"Do you not know that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to [put to shame] the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to [put to shame] the things which are mighty”?¹⁰

Perhaps it is true that we are weak. Perhaps we are not wise or mighty. But when God works through us, no one and nothing can stand against us."

As a musician, I couldn't resist ending with this "note."          

"In the great Composer’s symphony, you have your own particular part to play—your own notes to sing. Fail to perform them, and with certainty the symphony will go on. But if you rise up and join the chorus and allow the power of God to work through you, you will see “the windows of heaven” open, and He will “pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”¹² Rise up to your true potential as a son of God, and you can be a force for good in your family, your home, your community, your nation, and indeed in the world.

And in the process, as you “lose [your] life” in the service of others,¹³ you will grow and develop until you reach “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”¹⁴ Then you will be prepared to inherit, with Christ, everything your Father has."

Sing your part with a full heart and with gusto and the Lord will smile as he listens and guides you.

Your singing bloggess,

Janice