I really want to do a "soap box" on Sundays...just write down things I learned at church and share my testimony (at least with myself!) Today, we learned about the fact that the small and simple things really do make the difference in our lives.
The speaker in church was talking about the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and as usual with C.S. Lewis, I see a new way to think about a gospel principle. In the book, evil spirits, or "Satan's demons" were discussing how to bring down a human being. In one letter, the more experienced demon tells the other (in so many words--totally paraphrasing!) that the notion that all they do is put evil thoughts into the heads of those they are tempting is ridiculous, because it is so much easier to simply put ordinary, "distracting" thoughts into the heads of the mortals...thus, keeping people occupied in their very temporal daily lives rather than thinking of the "big picture." This way is much more subtle, yet can lead to the same spiritual weakening.
I see this a lot in my own life--I get so distracted by the daily stresses and pressures of home, bills, work, busy schedules etc. and need to remember to take some time to ponder the things that are most important. Keep a prayer in my heart. Read my scriptures and say my prayers daily. The small and simple things are those that the adversary really does not want us to do, because if we are not strengthening our testimonies, we are weakening them by starving them of the spiritual nourishment they need. I need to keep doing those simple things that remind me of my divine nature and what is really important in life, in order to combat the distractions that swirl around me every day. As we continue to keep ourselves focused on Christ and His plan, the presence of the Holy Ghost will be so much stronger in our lives, therefore making us each more intelligent, more protected from the distractions and temptations of the adversary, and more easily entreated to continue on the strait and narrow path.
The speaker in church was talking about the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, and as usual with C.S. Lewis, I see a new way to think about a gospel principle. In the book, evil spirits, or "Satan's demons" were discussing how to bring down a human being. In one letter, the more experienced demon tells the other (in so many words--totally paraphrasing!) that the notion that all they do is put evil thoughts into the heads of those they are tempting is ridiculous, because it is so much easier to simply put ordinary, "distracting" thoughts into the heads of the mortals...thus, keeping people occupied in their very temporal daily lives rather than thinking of the "big picture." This way is much more subtle, yet can lead to the same spiritual weakening.
I see this a lot in my own life--I get so distracted by the daily stresses and pressures of home, bills, work, busy schedules etc. and need to remember to take some time to ponder the things that are most important. Keep a prayer in my heart. Read my scriptures and say my prayers daily. The small and simple things are those that the adversary really does not want us to do, because if we are not strengthening our testimonies, we are weakening them by starving them of the spiritual nourishment they need. I need to keep doing those simple things that remind me of my divine nature and what is really important in life, in order to combat the distractions that swirl around me every day. As we continue to keep ourselves focused on Christ and His plan, the presence of the Holy Ghost will be so much stronger in our lives, therefore making us each more intelligent, more protected from the distractions and temptations of the adversary, and more easily entreated to continue on the strait and narrow path.
2 comments:
thanks for your thoughts. you are turning into becca and fof! hahahaha
Amen Sister!! I've been really trying to keep eternal perspective myself... it is very easy to get caught up in life!
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