It is so easy to be caught up in the demands, obligations and personal interests of the world: work, family, education, sports, recreation, hobbies, computer games, social media and many other time-consuming activities.
Add to the above time-consuming activities the tendencies to be lazy, waste time or become addicted and lose our ability to choose how we spend our time. An ancient prophet warned us of the importance of overcoming the natural man and women. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticing’s of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love,..” (Mosiah 3: 19 p. 153 in the Book of Mormon).
When any or combination of several of the above take all our time leaving no time for drawing closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, we will pay the price of not growing spiritually and receiving the divine help all of us need in this life to fulfill our divine missions on earth and find the happiness and joy we are all seeking.
Seek the Lord and Be Not deceived
President Russell M. Nelson encourages us. “The pandemic has demonstrated how quickly life can change, at times from circumstances beyond our control. However, there are many things we can control. We set our own priorities and determine how we use our energy, time, and means. We decide how we will treat each other. We choose those to whom we will turn for truth and guidance.
The voices and pressures of the world are engaging and numerous. But too many voices are deceptive, seductive, and can pull us off the covenant path. To avoid the inevitable heartbreak that follows, I plead with you today to counter the lure of the world by making time for the Lord in your life—each and every day.
If most of the information you get comes from social or other media, your ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit will be diminished. If you are not also seeking the Lord through daily prayer and gospel study, you leave yourself vulnerable to philosophies that may be intriguing but are not true. Even Saints (members) who are otherwise faithful can be derailed by the steady beat of Babylon’s band.
I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.
Never underestimate the profound truth that “the Spirit speaketh … of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” “It will show unto you all things what ye should do.”
Nothing invites the Spirit more than fixing your focus on Jesus Christ. Talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, feast upon the words of Christ, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ. Make your Sabbath a delight as you worship Him, partake of the sacrament, and keep His day holy. I love you, dear brothers and sisters. The Lord knows you and loves you. He is your Savior and your Redeemer. He leads and guides His Church. He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life—each and every day.”
(President Russell N. Nelson “Make Time for the Lord” in the Liahona Magazine November, 2021)
Take Time to Strength Your Faith in God
What strengthens my faith is to realize that God 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 avoid destructive sin and help me focus my time on appropriate activities that help me accomplish my earthly mission and be prepared to return to His presence. The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation but a life full of purpose and meaning. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all the ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6 in the Bible)
“…Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet but is nigh at hand.” (Doctrine and Covenants 58: 4). Do not miss this promise!