Be There

There are so many amazing lessons to be learned in everything that surrounds us. But undoubtedly, life can distract us just as often as it can enlighten us. How grateful I am for inspired men and women around me who can teach me lessons that I miss in the commotion that accompanies living.

My branch president, President Bellows, taught me an important lesson this morning. I learned the importance of "being there". We will all feel inadequate at times. Our weaknesses will manifest themselves because of our imperfect nature, and they will become magnified in our eyes. During these moments of self-doubt or fear that we're not up to the task, remember to simply "be there", and the Lord will make the most of you.

So much of the gospel is being where you know you should be. Mt. Sinai was where Moses needed to be, and he made sure to "be there". He was slow of speech, not anyone's idea of God's mouthpiece, the deliverer of God's people. However, God called and empowered Moses, giving him the tools he needed to fulfill that call. King Naaman was there at the River Jordan when instructed to, and was made clean (2 Kings 5). Nephi didn't have a clue as to how to accomplish his task, but he went to Jerusalem despite that. He knew he just needed to "be there", and the Lord would provide a way (1 Nephi 3-4) To illustrate a sad exmple of what can happen when we're not there, while David should have been leading his men to battle, he "tarried still at Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 11:1), and then had the experience that would lead to his spiritual downfall.

When you wake up in the morning, "be there" at your bedside on your knees. If you get a call or a text from someone who needs your help, "be there", and allow God to use you as an instrument in His hands. When it's Sunday morning, "be there" at church, and allow God to touch your life. Be where you feel you should be, be where God calls you, and He will do the rest. He has always been there. He did not hesitate in Gethsemane when His apostles slept. He did not stop later on when His followers fled. When He was left alone to face unfathomable pain, He was there on the cross, where He knew we needed Him to be. Forever, He will "be there" for you and for me. As He promised Joshua, so He promises us, "This day will I begin to magnify thee...that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I am with thee" (Joshua 3:7).