A friend once indicated that he wishes we had an island to go to and protect our families, loved ones and ourselves. In thinking about my answer these are the thoughts which I found coming into my mind. Thus this is my short answer – deeply troubling as so many think they’ve time to be obedient.
In reality we do have an Island – the Gospel is an Island from the storms of the world – however – obedience to all of the Commandments, Covenants, Statutes and Laws is the Life Jacket and boat which will take us to the Island. Most as St. Augustine pray as follows, “Lord help me to be clean, but not just yet!” As the Prophets have said – in the past and in modern days – too many don’t want to sacrifice their sins – just yet!
I.e. On the Sabbath - one more movie on; one more football game; one more hunting trip; or in the privacy of one’s home; or on any day of the week - one more R or X rated movie; one more word of profanity; one more refusal to help those in need; one more new toy; and the list goes on and on as we remove ourselves from the island of safety and build bridges to the world and the worldly.
Most reject the island for now – like St. Augustine just wanting a little more time to sin. Knowing the island is always there and they can go to it when there’s still time. It’s like catching a train or a flight – missing it and thinking well there’ll be another. Too many in the meantime forget how to swim – sell all of their boats – don’t have a life raft or saver to wear. The trip to the island is always there but the means to get there are slowly eliminated without one even knowing they’d lost their ability to get there.
Consider the direction which some give to being in obedience to the Commandments one must choose carefully who to follow. Yes the world is great for giving excuses – football, swimming, tennis, golf, fishing, hunting, racing (horses/cars) and so many more ways to break just one of the Ten Commandments. Think of how many more the world has for the other nine! To be obedient is easy if one is willing to be obedient. Yet if one is looking for excuses the world is full of them – but one has to choose who they’ll follow – either the world and worldly or the Father and the Son!
“An Island”
cji
9/11/09
Some only dream
believing it’s enough
awaking to a scream
no longer found tough;
Wishes making wrong
seem right and good
either weak or strong
for excuses they stood;
Thus the island is lost
somewhere in the mist
troubling now is the cost
having the world kissed!
Copyright © 2009 – cji
In reality we do have an Island – the Gospel is an Island from the storms of the world – however – obedience to all of the Commandments, Covenants, Statutes and Laws is the Life Jacket and boat which will take us to the Island. Most as St. Augustine pray as follows, “Lord help me to be clean, but not just yet!” As the Prophets have said – in the past and in modern days – too many don’t want to sacrifice their sins – just yet!
I.e. On the Sabbath - one more movie on; one more football game; one more hunting trip; or in the privacy of one’s home; or on any day of the week - one more R or X rated movie; one more word of profanity; one more refusal to help those in need; one more new toy; and the list goes on and on as we remove ourselves from the island of safety and build bridges to the world and the worldly.
Most reject the island for now – like St. Augustine just wanting a little more time to sin. Knowing the island is always there and they can go to it when there’s still time. It’s like catching a train or a flight – missing it and thinking well there’ll be another. Too many in the meantime forget how to swim – sell all of their boats – don’t have a life raft or saver to wear. The trip to the island is always there but the means to get there are slowly eliminated without one even knowing they’d lost their ability to get there.
Consider the direction which some give to being in obedience to the Commandments one must choose carefully who to follow. Yes the world is great for giving excuses – football, swimming, tennis, golf, fishing, hunting, racing (horses/cars) and so many more ways to break just one of the Ten Commandments. Think of how many more the world has for the other nine! To be obedient is easy if one is willing to be obedient. Yet if one is looking for excuses the world is full of them – but one has to choose who they’ll follow – either the world and worldly or the Father and the Son!
“An Island”
cji
9/11/09
Some only dream
believing it’s enough
awaking to a scream
no longer found tough;
Wishes making wrong
seem right and good
either weak or strong
for excuses they stood;
Thus the island is lost
somewhere in the mist
troubling now is the cost
having the world kissed!
Copyright © 2009 – cji
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