"Nearly 200 years ago William Wordsworth wrote that 'the world is too much with us.' What on earth would he say about the encroachments pressing in on your souls and sensibilities today? ...
"In the most difficult and discouraging days of World War II, Winston Churchill said to the people of England: 'To every man there comes... that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour.'
"In an even more serious kind of spiritual warfare... the day may come—indeed, I am certain will come—when in an unexpected circumstance or a time of critical need, lightning will strike, so to speak, and the future will be in your hands. Be ready when that day comes. Be strong. Always be clean.... I testify that the call in every age—and especially our age—is Joshua's call: 'Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.'"
- Jeffrey R. Holland, "Sanctify Yourselves," Ensign, November 2000, pp. 38-40
Click here to read or listen to the full talk
The quote from Winston Churchill has always challenged and inspired me. There will come a moment, or maybe more than one, in each of our lives when we are challenged to do something special and unique, suited just for us and our gifts. Will we be ready when that moment comes? Will we be willing, available, prepared, listening, and eager? To be "unprepared or unqualified" in that critical moment surely would be one of life's greatest sadnesses.
Elder Holland challenges each of us to be ready, to be strong, to be clean—so that when our moment comes, we can take full advantage of the opportunity.
The Lord truly will do wonders among us. How critical for us to be sanctifying ourselves every day, every moment, in order to fully be ready!
No comments:
Post a Comment