Then Sunday hit. I went to Sacrament Meeting, maybe a little stressed, but mostly exhausted from my busy week. And one scripture that the speaker talked about really struck home with me.
In Matthew 19, Jesus is talking with a particularly successful young man. This guy had it all, wealth, accomplishments, respect from others, and he was a very good follower of Christ. It would seem that he was about ready to be translated, he was so perfect. He even begged the question of Jesus, "What lack I yet?" (v. 20) (Pretty bold thing to ask.) Christ's response was "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (v. 21) It is the young man's response that struck me the most. In verse 22 it says "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." HOW SAD IS THAT?
Here is a person who has devoutly followed Christ, and has been greatly blessed for his obedience! He has been given great possessions, and yet, when Christ himself asks him to give it all up, he turned away sorrowful.
Of course, this talk prompted me to ask internally, What lack I yet? What is it that I need to work on? What do I need to do in order to be closer to Christ? What is preventing me from reaching my spiritual potential? Of course, when we ask these things of Heavenly Father, He's going to let you know, and in return He expects you to act on what He has shown you. The list of things I lack is quite extensive, as I'm sure many people's are, and many of these things are very difficult to just 'give up'. When I realized my hesitation to be immediately obedient, I remembered the actions of the young man. I am sure, after working hard, and being so successful, giving up everything he owned would be very, very difficult to do. And his response was to disobey and turn away. I do not want that to be my response. It can't be my response.
The scariest thing of all: I really relate to this young man. Not in the 'I'm perfect, what else could I possibly lack' way, but in the greatly blessed way. I know that I have been greatly blessed, in many, many ways. I am beyond grateful for everything that has been provided for me. I am not wealthy, but I am able to support myself. I am at BYU, the school of my dreams! I am studying something I am passionate about. I have a wonderful family that supports me in everything I dream up and do. There are so many different ways that I have been blessed by Heavenly Father. And with every blessing, greater obedience is expected.
So. In an effort to not be like the young man, and be obedient, I have written down my list of ways that I need to improve. Of course I won't share it here, it's personal, but I know that if I can improve on these things, Heavenly Father will bless me even more. If I can work on these aspects, He will support me through my trials, and help me to accomplish the things that I need to. This will take time, sacrifice, effort, and many prayers, but I know I can do it. It reminds me of this scripture from Mosiah 4:27: "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."
Join me, and pray with the question "What lack I yet?". Heavenly Father will show you the ways in which you can improve, and I urge you to be obedient. Do not be like the young man that turned away. Instead, own up to your weaknesses, and through Christ, they can be made strengths.
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