I recently had the opportunity to go back to my old area in the city to attend the baptism of a couple I had recently taught. It was a great baptism and the spirit was strong. It was great to see people make important covenants (promises) with their Heavenly Father. It was a great day!
On the drive into Philly we passed by a bunch of the different wall murals. One of my favorite things about driving in the city are all the beautiful murals. In the time that I served in that area I took several pictures of some of my favorite murals. I love these murals because I think they are beautiful and they tell a story. I wish knew who the artist were because God truly does bless us with talents. As I was looking at these murals I was thinking about the talents and gifts that our Heavenly Father gives each one of us.
I often have wondered in my life what are my talents or what am I good at? It's always a hard thing to see in ourselves. I often see in others so many talents, like the artists that have painted these murals. Everyone has been given talents from our Heavenly Father. I was not given the artistic talent (ask anyone who has ever played pictionary with me, it's pitiful trust me.) But I do know that God has given me other talents. Some I have yet to discover but each day I learn new things about myself and how I can acquire more talents.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him. In order to become like Him, he gives us strengths and talents that we need to practice and work at to develop. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “You cannot afford to waste your talents or your time. Great opportunities lie ahead of you."
God is waiting for us to become who He knows we can be, and the only way of becoming the best we can be is to figure out our talents and then practice using them. I know we are on this earth for a reason. We do not come to earth to remain the same. We come to earth to grow and learn and become more like the Savior, and with that we have to add to our talents and develop them.
The prophet Joseph Smith said, "That every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold."
I really like what Joseph Smith had to say about talents because I want to be the best person I can be and I want the Lord to bless me a hundred fold with talents. And maybe that sounds selfish but I want everyone to be blessed with talents because all the talents we gain and acquire allow us to be more like Christ. As a missionary I want to be a great teacher, and a good friend, and have perfect faith and so many other talents. I want these talents so I can help others. The scriptures tell us to seek for the best gifts.
Doctrine and Coevenants 46:8-9 says, "Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me..."
I know that the Lord has blessed me with talents, as He has with so many others. I am grateful for the many talents I have been given and hope that I can continue to share them and use them to help others. Like the artists that have put their talents to good use we should not hide our talents. They are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we should use them to benefit others.
No comments:
Post a Comment