To Whom Do We Listen?

The world is filled with voices, a wide variety of voices calling us in various directions.  There are loud voices that call to our natural selves highlighting the pleasures of the world.  They call to us to partake of these things, to eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.  These voices can be loud and powerful and they can easily overpower us if we choose not to listen to the still small voice.  The voice of perfect mildness that come from the Holy Ghost.  He quietly calls and petitions to us to obey the commandments of God.  His packaging is not always as loud or as appealing.  Choosing to listen to the Holy Ghost requires an element of faith as we forgo the much louder and call of the natural man.  There is a leap of faith there.  While we see the fun and the joy of those indulging in the things of the world it looks attractive and fun.  We don't often see the quiet peace and inner joy that comes as we try our faith and follow spiritual promptings.  There is great joy in following the Lord, it is lasting joy and not temporary pleasure.  Sometimes we might find ourselves in a self-argument as we attempt to convince ourselves that we are not worthy of the Spirit and might as well give up trying.  We are not good enough for the Lord or the church and therefore we have no reason to continue in our attempts to live the gospel, this is simply not true.  The Lord loves each of us.  He knows each of us.  He suffered in Gethsemane for each of us individually.  He does not force us to follow Him but allows us to chose for ourselves.  Regardless of what choices we make His hands are stretched out still.  He is always there, always willing to take us in.  I am grateful for that and know that each of our journeys are different.  We all travel down different paths, some arriving at the Savior before others.  Regardless of when we arrive, when we come unto Christ, He is there.  I am grateful for my Savior.  I am grateful for His patience with me, for His grace, for His mercy.  I know that through Him I can be made whole.  My prayer is that I can always remember Him and that I can do the things that He would have me do.  I pray that I can hear those voices that lead me near to the Savior and put off those that would lead me astray.