Our Father in heaven -- since he is our Father -- is guiding the development of his children.  That's us! 

There is, of course, a gap between where we are now in our growth, and the fulness of our potential.  Our Heavenly Father (and his servants) are interested and busy in leading us to the next step, and step by step, closer to him and closer to our own maturity (exaltation).

I believe that our experiences here on earth are not random, but have been lovingly and intelligently prepared by our Father in heaven according to the weaknesses we each have that need to be refined out. **  Also our experiences give us the time and the opportunity to receive the record of truth that we require (knowledge of God; we literally bear the testimony of the Son of God).  Keep the commandments!

And, by the way, experiences don't have to be crises.  Simply: "What is happening right now?  What am I compelled to participate in, in my life as it is?"

Other useful questions could be:
How could I become closer to God right now?
What weakness could I forsake, or what strength(s) could I receive within these circumstances? 
Will I learn my lesson by changing the situation? or by changing my feelings and belief(s)? or by just waiting patiently?

Some answers are 'easy'.  In some ways we really never have totally unique experiences, because we are all human.  So we can search the prophets and there will be counsel there for us.  Always we can pray to our Father and ask.  (And knock! -- maybe a long time? Arm tired yet? )

One of my friends ordered her questions like this:  "What is my lesson?  How can I best learn it?  How can I be happy while learning it?"  She asked her heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost let her know.

So:  1) our life experiences are designed by our Father: keep the commandments (the commandments are some of those designed experiences); 2) they are designed so that we may be successful, and success in this case means being closer to God as well as further growth toward maturity; 3) as agents we are free to follow this course, or we can rebel or ignore, etc.; 4) but Father is always ready to help us with the next step towards him even if we've gone back for a time; and 5) our godly growth will be in knowledge and righteousness.

And so, we need to realize that our Father is interested in entering our life, and sometimes we could step back and perceive what it is he has designed and rejoice in that!  (And not to say that he takes over our minds and choices -- we're free to design, too.)


** please don't read this previous sentence as if I am advocating any deterministic view of our mortal existence.

[I wrote this is 1997. I do not present this writing as a representation of doctrine.  It is my own thoughts, feelings, study and belief -- or at least the condition it was in, in 1997.  I encourage you to not take my word for anything, but to do your own study, pondering, and asking of God.]

Tags: Guidance Growth Potential Experience Tested Weakness Commandments Learn Cho

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