This was quoted today in our church meeting and it really touched my heart. So often I think of my time as my own, and find myself wasting it doing not bad things but not the best things (for me my addictions are facebook, and pinterest, and really the internet in general.) Sometimes I hate to admit but like this quote I get frustrated when I get interrupted from whatever I'm doing, feeling my time is being "stolen."
In reality, it's not my time. Each and every second is a gift from my Creator. And while I honestly think He wants me to be happy and enjoy my time, I also feel that there is so much more I could do with my time to show my gratitude for each day, and to show my gratitude for His sacrifice and His life that He has given so I can be saved. When I remember His sufferings, His devoted life, I wonder to myself how I could possibly use my time in any other way but to show love and devotion to Him.
In the scriptures we see Our Savior's consecration over and over again, as He says "Not my will, but thine (Luke 22:42)." He did "nothing save it be for the benefit of the world (2 Nephi 26:24). He consecrated His life to His Heavenly Father and to us. Because of His sacrifice, I can be clean and whole. Because of His sacrifice, I can have a peaceful heart, despite the troubles I may face. Because of His sacrifice, I can have the hope that I can be with Him and my wonderful family again for eternity. How I love Him. And how I want to give back to Him!
As I've pondered consecration today in my studied and thought about the talk that was given on giving our time to the Lord, I've come up with some ways that I personally want to show more devotion and love to Him and His children on earth. Here are my goals:
1. Live a life a service. Pray daily and seek opportunities to help anyone and everyone in my circle of influence. I have been given so much! I want to give back all that I can.
2. Go to the temple more often. I am blessed to feel good and healthy and have a temple so close. I want to take more time to go and serve my Savior there more often.
3. Share the gospel. One of my past neighbors came up to me last night at an activity and was glowing. He told me he had been taking the missionary lessons and is getting baptized this week. He said it had been a rough thirty years of his life but now he finally felt peace. Melted my heart. And it made me realize, the gospel is another huge blessing in my life that can bless so many others. How can I not share it?
4. Help others serve. I feel so blessed when I serve and even more blessed when I help others serve. This past Christmas I had my "warm blanket making night" and I realized that I love doing things with people, but I love serving with other people even more. I want to find and facilitate more opportunities to serve with people around me.
5. Make time to study His Word. I know in doing so I know I can be better directed to know His will and how he wants me to spend my time.
This are my goals to live a more consecrated life. What are yours?
