Comments on: Willing to Receive http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/ Uplifting, edifying, and enriching reading by and for Latter-day Saint Women Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:51:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: A Prayer of Faith » Blog Archive » Rejoicing in Our Nothingness http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7060 Sun, 19 Nov 2006 08:41:18 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7060 [...] 2) Mortality is only a temporary state, a “probationary state”, a time to “prepare to meet God.” God doesn’t view us through the lens of our flesh; He views us as who we can become if we pass this mortal test. When He reminds me of my nothingness, His intent is not to depress and paralyze me with feelings of worthlessness (which is my natural response to such a message). He is simply inviting me (with open arms!) to humble myself so that, through Christ, He can eventually make me all He is (and can help me through life now!). In short, He wants me to remember to be meek and humble so I can receive the gifts He has to offer. [...] […] 2) Mortality is only a temporary state, a “probationary state”, a time to “prepare to meet God.” God doesn’t view us through the lens of our flesh; He views us as who we can become if we pass this mortal test. When He reminds me of my nothingness, His intent is not to depress and paralyze me with feelings of worthlessness (which is my natural response to such a message). He is simply inviting me (with open arms!) to humble myself so that, through Christ, He can eventually make me all He is (and can help me through life now!). In short, He wants me to remember to be meek and humble so I can receive the gifts He has to offer. […]

]]> by: RoAnn http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7054 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:51:36 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7054 Thanks for the many good insights and ideas in this post, Michelle. It sparked several thoughts, one of which I'll mention. You quoted Elder Wirthlin as saying, "This is a noisy and busy world that we live in." At one time in my life I used to keep the car radio tuned to the local classical music station and automatically turn it on whenever I was in the car. I am usually personally uplifted by classical music, and I also thought it would help my young children develop an appreciation for that kind of music. One day a good friend mentioned that she decided to limit her listening to music in the car, because she wanted to be open to spiritual guidance as she pondered while driving. I thought this was very good advice, and after that I tried to make a conscious decision on whether on not to listen to music, both in the car and at home. I feel I am often inspired while listening to good music. However, as my friend helped me realize, if we <i>always</i> have music--even sacred music--playing in the background, we might be missing some promptings which the Lord would like us to receive. Thanks for the many good insights and ideas in this post, Michelle. It sparked several thoughts, one of which I’ll mention.

You quoted Elder Wirthlin as saying, “This is a noisy and busy world that we live in.” At one time in my life I used to keep the car radio tuned to the local classical music station and automatically turn it on whenever I was in the car. I am usually personally uplifted by classical music, and I also thought it would help my young children develop an appreciation for that kind of music.

One day a good friend mentioned that she decided to limit her listening to music in the car, because she wanted to be open to spiritual guidance as she pondered while driving. I thought this was very good advice, and after that I tried to make a conscious decision on whether on not to listen to music, both in the car and at home.

I feel I am often inspired while listening to good music. However, as my friend helped me realize, if we always have music–even sacred music–playing in the background, we might be missing some promptings which the Lord would like us to receive.

]]> by: Naiah http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7052 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 14:37:18 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7052 Téa, that's a wild realization. Stay with it, pray, ponder--really consciously focus on receiving insight, and see where the Lord goes with it. Michelle, Wow, what a great message. Thank-you so much. This is a concept of which I have not just a strong testimony, but even an intense one. To see such articulation of it from our leaders is such a gem. The confort, guidance, and inspiration that comes to us by the Spirit is always there; it's up to us simply to choose to receive. I had occasion to do some exercises in 'active receiving' a couple years ago, before which it had always been a very passive state. Choosing to open yourself, to allow it entrance is really a skill to cultivate. As Elder Merrill says, it's not just "here I am, inspire me." I can't really share my personal understanding of it (receiving as an active verb), but I can testify that there is a difference, and you can feel it, by trying it. (by seeking, feeling, all the while knowing that you will act on what you receive.) Téa, that’s a wild realization. Stay with it, pray, ponder–really consciously focus on receiving insight, and see where the Lord goes with it.

Michelle,
Wow, what a great message. Thank-you so much. This is a concept of which I have not just a strong testimony, but even an intense one. To see such articulation of it from our leaders is such a gem. The confort, guidance, and inspiration that comes to us by the Spirit is always there; it’s up to us simply to choose to receive.

I had occasion to do some exercises in ‘active receiving’ a couple years ago, before which it had always been a very passive state. Choosing to open yourself, to allow it entrance is really a skill to cultivate. As Elder Merrill says, it’s not just “here I am, inspire me.” I can’t really share my personal understanding of it (receiving as an active verb), but I can testify that there is a difference, and you can feel it, by trying it. (by seeking, feeling, all the while knowing that you will act on what you receive.)

]]> by: Téa http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7048 Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:09:05 +0000 http://roxcy.synthian.org/2006/11/16/willing-to-receive/#comment-7048 First response--yes. On further reflection though, if willingness and what I have received are to be considered equal (or nearly so) then I suppose I'm not nearly as willing as I think I am. First response–yes.
On further reflection though, if willingness and what I have received are to be considered equal (or nearly so) then I suppose I’m not nearly as willing as I think I am.

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