“One of the greatest indicators of righteous character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering: in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Therefore, character is demonstrated by looking, turning, and reaching outward when the instinctive response of the “natural man” (Mosiah 3:19) in each of us is to turn inward and to be selfish and self absorbed. And the Savior of the world is the source, the standard, and the ultimate criterion of moral character and the perfect example of charity and consistency.” ~Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, from his book ‘Act in Doctrine’ p.8, 2012, ISBN 978-1-60907-227-8
It is far past the time for me to embrace a higher standard expressed above by Elder Bednar. The beauty of his statement above (and the book from which it was taken) comes in the fact that I can begin from where I am now and just press forward with today… or with this hour, or minute–one step at a time. In so blessing another, I change… and allow my Savior to change / increase me… a step at a time. The adversary would have me believe “if you can’t do it ALL now, what’s the point of trying” with many other such distracting ideas that defeat Christ’s influence upon me. When embracing the pattern expressed above with patience, Jesus, a step at a time becomes The Master of my soul, a much better master (direction, discipline) than I can ever have on my own. This comes too with far greater peace of mind than this world’s (and it’s worldly substitutions) have to offer. kdm
