Our actions and emotions are driven by our internal sense of “right.” We get angry on the road because we truly believe that other people are driving poorly. Our sense of right, or purpose, in that scenario is that we have somewhere to go and other people are going too slowly, or that they’re looking at their phones while driving, or doing something else either unsafe or inconvenient to our purpose.
In general, we’re walking around everyday with our compass needle just a little off kilter. It leads us according to our own sense of right, truth, and purpose, but it should be leading us according to God’s truth and His purpose for us. Unfortunately, the two are rarely aligned. This talk served as a reminder that God loves--even adores--us unconditionally, no matter where our compass is pointing, but He will never stop nudging the needle to its correct position. He will never excuse our justifications for our skewed sense of right, and He will never withhold His help as we correct ourselves.
That compass, when correctly aimed, will lead us to safety and redemption and peace in this life and in the next. Home is not found by following our own arrow, only by following His. “Because They love you, They do not want to leave you ‘just as you are,’” Elder Christofferson says.
When we remember God’s love for us, and in turn act with love of Him being our central motivation, we successfully straighten the compass needle to its proper position. It is by remembering God’s love for us and aligning our hearts and purpose to Him that we will better be able to navigate a turbulent world, internal and external. “Here is the solution for our incessantly quarrelsome times—the love of God.”
xo, Tess
Affirmation
I am loved as I am—enough not to remain as I am. I align myself with God’s purpose for me by remembering His love and making my love for Him central in all I do.
Invitation
Think of some actions you do daily—serving a neighbor, making kids’ lunches, doing your family’s laundry, etc.—and examine why you do them. Is it because you have to? Is it because it is your church calling?
Try reframing your thoughts this week. Instead of thinking “I visit this sister because it is my duty,” try thinking, “I visit this sister because God loves her, and I love God.” Instead of thinking, “I hate folding laundry,” change that to “I fold this laundry because I love my family, and I serve them because I love God.”
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