Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Faith
Not to long ago I decided that it would be a good time to fast and pray for help with Dan's job searching. This got me thinking. My fast prayer went something like this, "Heavenly Father, please help Dan find a job, and if he doesn't find a job please help us be okay with this and realize that everything will be in Your time." So here is where I got to thinking. Dan knew I was fasting and asked me afterward if I had any thoughts or impressions on where we should go. Well, that isn't what I asked for. In fact, I didn't ask a question at all. Here's the thing I think Heavenly Father is okay with bling faith (notice, I did not and will not say that it's what He prefers). This is kind of the stage that I'm at. I'm a blind faith person. If Heavenly Father says "x" then okay, it's "x"....no questions asked, that's how it is because that's how it is. However, do I really think that that makes Heavenly Father happy? I'm sure He's glad that people like me are willing to believe, but really...is that what He wants? Maybe? Anyway, I then got to thinking that Heavenly Father is a God of knowledge. He wants His children to know things. If He tells us something I'm sure He is more than pleased when we find out the how and why and whatnots about everything. Do I think that there are some questions that we will have to wait to find out the answers to? Yes. Do I think that we should ask and find out? Yes. So I guess my question comes in this form. When (and I could be wrong on my scripture story here) Shadrac, Mesach, and Abednigo (don't mind the spelling) were going to be thrown in a fire they prayed to God that he would deliever them, but then they said, "But if not" that's okay (not in those words, but work with me here). So I've been striving for the "but if not" philosophy. However, is this a blind faith? God wants us to know things, and He also wants us to accept...soo....this is where I just don't get it. How do you do both? I'm pretty sure the answer is quite obvious, and I'm pretty sure that I should know the answer to this, however it has managed to elude me for a good 25 years. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Answers?
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So we've been in your position very recently. I kinda prayed for the same thing. I think essentially we had blind faith. However, we also to some action for ourselves. We didn't depend on the lord to tell us where to apply for a job or where we were going. We applied for jobs we felt would fit us. We prayed that we would receive one of these jobs. If we didn't, well okay, we needed to look at our options again. In the end we did get a job, not really where we thinking of. But we did put in for the job. However, I totatlly recognize that Heavenly Father had a hand in us getting this job. Things fell into place "too" perfectly. I hope that made sense. Honestly, I would just go with your feelings as far as jobs go. Ask for direction, and you will receive it. It may not be in the way you are hoping/thinking of! I apologize that was soo long!
I love your questions! Not the easiest thing to go through. I think I'm one that relies on a lot to just be provided, but in Sunday school last year we were talking about the Brother of Jared in Ether 2:18-23. It was pointed out that the Lord just gave him direction on how to make the barges...but then when the Brother of Jared asked about light, the Lord asked him what he wanted Him to do? So what I got out of this is that sometimes we have to do the footwork and make some decisions and act on them so he can give us a confirmation of an answer. I know this answer isn't quite faith related, but I think to have faith you have to act, and to act on feelings strengthens our faith and then it just perpetuates.
Sorry this is long... but I sure hope you have great luck in finding the job of Dan's dreams..or not and you can stay with us here in Pullman longer. Chad and I would love that. He always says how much he misses home teaching you guys!! GOOD LUCK!
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life it will rise with us in the resurrection. That isn't blind faith, it's learning. Blind faith is accepting the truths you learned. You have to learn about possible jobs so you can accept the one that is right for you. How will you know if it is right if you don't investigate? Hang in there.
I think I'm kind of in the same boat as you are. When I pray for things (like for people who are seriously ill to get better, for example) I pray for them to get better, but then always feel like maybe I shouldn't be asking that, so I put in an "if it is Thy will" disclaimer. So I don't have any advice for you. But I'm anxious to read what others have to say.
(And anyway, you want to live in St. George, because it's close to your favorite oldest sister.) :)
Just the other day I was listening to an old conference talk (1995) and I don't even remember who the talk was given by, but the point that really stuck out to me was this: When Christ was sent to earth, He was perfect. He knew why he came. His own people denyed him and they took him to the cross. When He was in Gethsemane He prayed to the Father to "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my wil, but thine be done." Luke 22:42
Even the most perfect Man to live on the earth prayed for something He knew He had to do, but it was hard. We often know what we have to do, and it sometimes is harder than we would like. I think that blind faith really shows your true desire of doing the will of the Father and not putting your own will first. To do both, you pray to know the will of the Father, and then you go to work to do that will. In my experience I usually don't even know that I am being lead by his hand until I look back after a while and see how those challenges and hard times helped me to grow.
It is daunting to find a job now. It took us a while to find any openings that we even wanted to entertain. As we prayed and worked to find some thought, they came. There is something there for you. Hope your day is going well.
This is a bit deep for my mental state at the moment (I'm exhausted and should be doing a handful of other things right now), but I wanted to say hi, and find out why you never answered when I called your house and cell twice (each) yesterday.
He has always told us to ask, but to also study it out in our minds. Do all you can and just keep pressing forward. I believe he will let us know if we are going the wrong way.
There's no such thing as blind faith. Honestly. Have you ever found that one in your scripture reading? It's like free agency...also doesn't exist. I think you should be as specific as possible and then the faith comes in as you follow the promptings you get. If you don't get any you keep a prayer in your heart, make the best decision you can and go forward until he tells you something different. That's what I think!
I think there are certain times in our life that we have to go on "blind faitj." Too many factors our out of our control and we just have to trust that it will work out they Heavenly Father has planned...this is when we pray for peace and understanding of the plan so we don't go totally crazy. Other times I think Heavenly Father has more than one option for us, when we can decide who, what, where, for how much money...etc. These are the times when we need to pray for an open mind, inspiration and guidance. But these are also the times when we sometimes have to actually make a decision and then trust the feelings of the spirit. Sometimes I know I use the idea of blind faith, or "whatever happen, happens" as an excuse to not have to make hard choices...I think that's more avoiding than choosing. Its a fine line, but that's why we get spouses to help us figure things out. I hope you guys are having a fun trip...and I hope Tucker will be home for you to visit when you get here.
Your story reminds me of the opposite end of the spectrum. A firend of mine said she went shopping with another lady. They couldn't go to a certain store (that was on the list of places they needed to go) because the lady had failed to pray about it and make sure it was ok. I think Heavenly Father would prefer blind faith over someone who has to pray about every little thing and doesn't take any action on their own. Just my little thought.
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