Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Giving 100%

(Elder Cummings)

This has definitely been the fastest week yet.  Last Monday my companion and I were making jokes about how it was almost P-day and we were right.  Time flies.  Time flies FAST.  Two weeks from tomorrow Elder LaRose leaves for Milwaukee and I leave for Fresno the next morning.  It is strange to think that of all the companions I will have on my mission, he will be my companion for the shortest period of time.  Hmong Elders don't get transferred much.

I have been thinking a lot this week about what God expects of His children.  It is often said by missionaries that they haven't come on a mission to give less than 100%.  That is a great attitude, but it comes from the wrong mindset.  What is two years in the scope of eternity?  It doesn't matter how hard we work for two years if we don't continue to work for our whole lives.  A better way of looking at it that I am begging to appreciate this week is that we have not entered this mortality to give less than 100%.  We entered this mortality with the intent of returning to live with our Father in Heaven.  That is done when we surrender our whole soul, all the desires and intents of our hearts, to the will of the Father.  It is done when we give 100%.

In 3 Nephi 27 is one of my favorite chapters of the Book of Mormon.  In this chapter the disciples of Christ in the Americas are praying together asking what the name of the church should be called. Christ appears and teaches them.  Whenever I read this chapter I think about how it applies to me.  I substitute myself in for the church.  If I am Christ's I aught to act like it.  Specifically in verse thirteen Christ says "Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you--that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."  At baptism we covenant to follow Christ's example and the example he has set is a perfect commitment to do God's will, not our own.  If we want to be saved, to return to live with God again, that is what we must do.  We must give all we are to do what God's will.  God loves us all and only desires our happiness.  Disobedience to God's commandments show that we don't really believe He is an all knowing God who want to best for us.  Our actions are an expression of our commitment and understanding.  If we want to understand more we need to be willing and actively trying to live better.

I know that God lives, I know that He loves us, I know that we are His children, and although I may not always live it I know that God wants what is best for us.  Obedience is the way for us to receive any and all promised blessings.  Obedience is how we come to know God.  Obedience brings us into His presence.  All through my mission and throughout my life I intend to be more obedient with every passing day, or in other words I want to know my God better.  I promise you all that if you commit to being more obedient to the will of the Father, if you give 100%, there will be blessings.  The windows of heaven will be open and there will not be room enough to receive them.

I love this work.  I love this church, and I love my God and King.

I hope you all have a great week!


     - Elder Jared Cummings

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