What Are You Looking For?
12:04 PM
In memory of the wonderfully talented Harper Lee. The thoughts she shared have truly changed me.
When I found out about the passing of Harper Lee, this quote immediately came to my mind. It's one of my very favorites from To Kill A Mockingbird. And funnily enough, it had been running through my mind quite a lot as of late, for a few reasons.
Let me start this out by saying I'm not angry, upset, frustrated, or feeling any ill will towards anyone. I think people need to make their own decisions and do what is best for them. I think religion especially is a personal journey and finding God is a personal endeavor.
That all being sad, I have had many friends, neighbors, etc. recently decide to distance or disassociate themselves from the LDS Church. The reasons why vary from person to person, but generally people inform me their motivations stem from disbelief in either policy, or doctrines, or both.
I have been thinking about this a lot. Searching my own feelings and understandings and testimony. And what I have come to is this quote.
People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.
If you are looking to be upset, offended, and if you are looking for the Church NOT to be true, chances are you'll find it.
If you're looking to understand, gain God's perspective, and if you're looking for ways to strengthen your testimony of the Church, chances are you'll find it.
It has made me pause and ask myself what I am looking for, and listening for, in regards to my religious beliefs and my testimony. What am I actively searching for? Who am I listening to? Am I opening my ears to hear the still small voice, or am I wanting to hear the words of the world around me about how our Church is wrong? Am I listening to the voice of the men chosen by God to lead this Church, or am I listening to the voice of people who say those men don't know what they are doing?
I want to look and listen for God. And I know that He directs this Church.
1 comments
This was amazing. Such a great point! I've been struggling with the same thing, and this was exactly what I needed to hear!
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