Continuing from Bruce C. Hafen and previous post, Disciples Journey II,
7. Divine Tutorial. . . .As we feel the power of Christ’s love pulling us toward Him, we anticipate the joy of his promise: Be faithful and diligent . . . . and I will encircle thee in the arms of love” (Doctrine & Covenants 6:20). The Lord reflected that affection in the way he addressed Joseph Smith. During Joseph’s early years, Christ called him “my servant Joseph (for example, Doctrine & Covenants 1:17; emphasis added). But after Joseph had traveled long paths marked by consecration and hardship, the Lord said, “From henceforth I shall call you friends” (Doctrine & Covenants 84:77; ) emphasis added).
What is the difference between a servant. and a friend? The Lord had earlier said, ‘The servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I call you friends; for all things I have heard of my Father I made known unto you” (John 15:15; emphasis added)
The Lord’s “friends” thus feel His increased confidence in them—enough confidence that He is willing to tutor them in the most personal ways. But they also discover that His tutorial tasks ask more of them, not less. It is both possible and likely that the closer we come to Christ, the more we will be aware of what we yet need to do. He said, ” if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. . . . if they humble themselves before me, . . . then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Either 12:27; emphasis added).
So if we are becoming more aware of our weaknesses, that doesn’t mean we are drifting away from Him, it may well mean that we are drawing closer. Like a good coach, a good tutor will always help his students see and correct their mistakes. When we understand that, correction is motivating, not discouraging. For, because of the Atonement, we can learn from our mistakes without being condemned by them.
The paradox of this divine tutorial is that he Lord will not only correct us but may also lead us into some forms of personal affliction. Because Elder Maxwell was such a faithful student of discipleship, I draw again from his words: “If we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do those very things which are most difficult for us to do.” 15 Thus, “sometimes the best people have the worst experiences because they are the most ready to learn.”16
After Elder Maxwell learned that he had the leukemia that eventually took his life, he shook his head and said he should have seen it coming. Why? Because ever since Okinawa, he had wanted to become a fully consecrated follower of Jesus, no matter what the price. And the more he desired the gift of charity—to Love as Christ loves—the more he sensed how dear the price might be. ( pg 29)~~~Bruce C. Hafen, ‘Spiritually Anchored in Unsettled Times’, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 2009, p.28-29
