Some people feel that if they have enough faith, all their righteous or good desires will be granted. We must realize that our desires will not be granted if it is not the will of the Lord regardless of the strength of our faith. In this life we live by faith not always knowing the will of the Lord but ask for things we are in need of.
IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, IT IS NOT TOO SMALL FOR THE LORD
Edmin Smith had an experience in seeking the Lord’s help that I think many of us have had.
“I had searched everywhere. Twice I had driven from the office to the fabrication yard seeking the essential parts needed to complete a crane we were shipping to a military installation. It was scheduled to ship in two days–just in time to meet our contracted deadline. My company would face serious penalties if we did not meet our commitment. I entered the office storeroom and once again looked for the missing parts. I inspected every box and reconfirmed that the parts had indeed been ordered. It was too late to reorder the parts and still meet the deadline. I was discouraged. I headed home, still trying to figure out how to resolve the problem.
I said a quick and empty-hearted prayer before bed and tried to get some sleep. In my mind I retraced the steps I took earlier that day, hoping I would remember something I missed. I tossed and turned until 3:00 a.m. Finally I sat up. I looked down at the pillow I placed on the floor to remind myself to pray. I didn’t feel like praying. I had prayed all day but felt that nothing I said was making any difference. Had God forgotten me? Having nowhere else to go, I slid to my knees and began to pray. I asked Heavenly Father if He was aware of my situation. ‘Heavenly Father,’ I pleaded, ‘Thou knowest where the missing parts are. Couldst Thou let me know too–today?’ Later that morning, I walked to my office. I set my briefcase on my desk and felt that I should check the storeroom one last time. I entered the storeroom and looked over the boxes I had checked and rechecked the day before. A large box caught my eye. Something didn’t look right. A closer look revealed that it wasn’t one box but two boxes nested together. I lifted the top box from the one below. In the bottom box, I found the parts! I said a prayer of gratitude and returned to my office to notify the fabricators that the missing parts had been found. Suddenly, I realized that I had not just found the parts, but I had also discovered that Heavenly Father knew where I was and that I was important to Him. God had not forgotten me, and He never will.”
WE MATTER TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
It may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember, you matter to Him! No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith in your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
RECEIVING ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS
The Lord chooses how and when He will answer our prayers. Answers can come while we are praying, reading the Scriptures, as we are meditating on spiritual experiences and through others influenced by the Spirit. Primarily answers come through the “feelings of the heart” or through a voice to our mind.
INCREASING OUR FAITH
What strengthens my faith is to realize that the “Great Creator” is my loving Heavenly Father and I am His son. If I trust in Him and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ and seek His help and direction He will help me through the worldly destructive land mines of sin and lead me to accomplish my earthly mission and be prepared to return to His presence.
Dallas Jones is the local leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This article quoted from Edmin F. Smith in the March, 2018 edition of Ensign. For further discussion call (231) 383-8359 or send an email to dallasjones8349@yahoo.com. If interested in reading previous articles written by Dallas Jones visit djonesarticles.com.