by Ron Green
What Lack I Yet?
By Elder Larry R. Lawrence
Of the Seventy
When I was a young adult, I began investigating the Church. At
first I was drawn to the gospel by the examples of my Latter-day Saint friends,
but eventually I was attracted to the unique doctrine. When I learned that
faithful men and women could keep progressing and ultimately become like
our heavenly parents, I was frankly amazed. I loved the concept; it rang
true to me.
The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.” As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.
However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We
have to ask some difficult questions, like “What do I need to change?” “How can
I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”
Let’s consider the New Testament account of the rich young ruler.
He was a righteous young man who was already keeping the Ten Commandments, but
he wanted to become better. His goal was eternal life.
When he
met the Savior, he asked, “What lack I yet?”
Jesus
answered immediately, giving counsel that was intended specifically for the
rich young man. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that
thou hast, and give to the poor, and … come and follow me.”
The young man was stunned; he had never considered such a
sacrifice. He was humble enough to ask the Lord but not faithful enough to
follow the divine counsel he was given. We must be willing to act when we
receive an answer.
I knew a faithful mother who humbled herself and asked, “What is keeping me from progressing?” In her case, the response from the Spirit came immediately: “Stop complaining.” This answer surprised her; she had never thought of herself as a complainer. However, the message from the Holy Ghost was very clear. In the days that followed, she became conscious of her habit of complaining. Grateful for the prompting to improve, she determined to count her blessings instead of her challenges. Within days, she felt the warm approval of the Spirit.
A single sister bravely asked the question: “What do I need to
change?” and the Spirit whispered to her, “Don’t interrupt people when they are
talking.” The Holy Ghost really does give customized counsel. He is a
completely honest companion and will tell us things that no one else knows or
has the courage to say.
Years ago I read in a Church magazine the story of a girl who was
living away from home and going to college. She was behind in her classes, her
social life was not what she had hoped for, and she was generally unhappy.
Finally one day she fell to her knees and cried out, “What can I do to improve
my life?” The Holy Ghost whispered, “Get up and clean your room.” This
prompting came as a complete surprise, but it was just the start she needed. After
taking time to organize and put things in order, she felt the Spirit fill her
room and lift her heart.
The Holy Ghost doesn’t tell us to improve everything at once. If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed, one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, “line upon line, precept upon precept, … and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, … for unto him that receiveth I will give more.” For example, if the Holy Ghost has been prompting you to say “thank you” more often, and you respond to that prompting, then He may feel it’s time for you to move on to something more challenging—like learning to say, “I’m sorry; that was my fault.”
A perfect
time to ask, “What lack I yet?” is when we take the sacrament. The Apostle Paul
taught that this is a time for each of us to examine ourselves. In this
reverent atmosphere, as our thoughts are turned heavenward, the Lord can gently
tell us what we need to work on next.
Like you, I have received many messages from the Spirit over the
years showing me how I could improve. Let me share a few personal examples of
messages that I took to heart. These promptings have included:
·
Don’t raise your voice.
·
Organize yourself; create a daily list of things to do.
·
Take better care of your body by eating more fruits and
vegetables.
·
Increase your temple attendance.
·
Take time to ponder before you pray.
·
Ask your wife for her counsel.
·
And be patient when driving; don’t exceed the speed limit. (I’m
still working on that last one.)
The atoning sacrifice of the Savior is what makes perfection or sanctification possible. We could never do it on our own, but God’s grace is sufficient to help us. As Elder David A. Bednar once observed: “Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints—for good men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better.”
I would like to suggest that each of you participate in a
spiritual exercise sometime soon, perhaps even tonight while saying your
prayers. Humbly ask the Lord the following question: “What is keeping me from
progressing?” In other words: “What lack I yet?” Then wait quietly for a
response. If you are sincere, the answer will soon become clear. It will be
revelation intended just for you.
Perhaps the Spirit will tell you that you need to forgive someone.
Or you may receive a message to be more selective about the movies you watch or
the music you listen to. You may feel impressed to be more honest in your
business dealings or more generous in your fast offerings. The possibilities
are endless.
The Spirit can show us our weaknesses, but He is also able to show
us our strengths. Sometimes we need to ask what we are doing right so that the
Lord can lift and encourage us. When we read our patriarchal blessings, we are
reminded that our Heavenly Father knows our divine potential. He rejoices
every time we take a step forward. To Him, our direction is ever more important
than our speed.
Be
persistent, brothers and sisters, but never be discouraged. We will have to go
beyond the grave before we actually reach perfection, but here in mortality we
can lay the foundation. “It is our duty to be better today than we were
yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today.”
If spiritual growth is not a priority in our lives, if we are not
on a course of steady improvement, we will miss out on the important
experiences that God wants to give us.
Years ago
I read these words of President Spencer W. Kimball, which had a lasting
impact on me. He said: “I have learned that where there is a prayerful heart, a
hungering after righteousness, a forsaking of sins, and obedience to the
commandments of God, the Lord pours out more and more light until there is
finally power to pierce the heavenly veil. ... A person of such
righteousness has the priceless promise that one day he shall see the Lord’s
face and know that he is.”
It is my prayer that this ultimate experience can be ours someday
as we allow the Holy Ghost to lead us home. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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