The Guide
Grace Andrews of Independence, MO, USA
“If our lives are centered in the Spirit, let us be guided by the Spirit. -Galatians 5:25 (JB Phillips version)
We make many multiple decisions every day. Some are easy, like should I get up in the morning or lie in bed? Should I eat breakfast? Should I feed the cat (or dog)? Some are more difficult, like how can I divide my time between the mundane and the sacred? What do I need to do today that will be of worth? Some are major, like should I share my life with this one or wait for someone else? Should I quit this job and look for another position? How will I know if I should retire now or later?
And further, while driving to work, which road should I take? Yogi Berra once said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it!” Such a fork in the road occurred many years ago as we traveled with our family. Back then, GPS was not even a glimmer in the sky. We had only maps for guides-usually outdated. We knew our destination; but with poorly marked roads, when we came to a Y, we faced a dilemma-which way to go? Because we lacked knowledge and experience on that particular road, we turned the wrong way. Our faithful GPS of today would have immediately warned: “recalculating.” Therefore, we ended up miles and miles in the wrong direction before realizing we had made a huge error. To our frustration, we had no choice but to return to that point and begin again in the right direction. The result was that we were very late to an important event.
Life is like that. We don\’t always know which way is the right way. If we listen for our personal “GPS” -God\’s precious Spirit-which is always available to direct us, we will absolutely be led in the right way. As I look back over my life, I am overwhelmed to see the many, many times the Spirit has helped me choose one path over another.
If I tune my spiritual hearing to the Holy Spirit of truth, promised to walk beside us, direct, encourage, strengthen, teach, warn, remind, and guide, I will find myself safely at home.
Prayer Phrase
Let gratitude show you the way (Doctrine and Covenants Section 165:2b).
Spiritual Practice
Gratitude
Gratitude is an important spiritual practice that invites us to see all of life as a gift. We give thanks for our breath, the food we eat, people we love, and all that we have that truly matters. We remember that we are connected and sustained by a web of relationships with creation, God, and other people. Take time each day this month to practice giving thanks and to consider-for what am I most grateful?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
