Chapter 84: He Hath Chosen

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."

1 Corinthians 1:27

I really enjoyed this week; it was a week of laboring mightily in the vineyard here in Edinburgh. We brought four companionships of Zone Leaders in for exchanges and spent the entire week working in our area which was really nice for a change. We experienced some incredible miracles which we rejoiced in together. It was unforgettable to find such fulfillment in the work with these great missionaries I've come to know as dear friends. We invited people to be baptized, found new families to work with, and in it all we were led by the Lord and His Spirit.

Also this week I got sick again! I think my body is starting to crumble under the high-pressure environment I've been in for the past couple of months, but that's okay, it only helped me understand why I need Christ's power even more. I really can't do anything without him, and without him, there really isn't any point in trying to do much. I've learned for myself just how insignificant in the grand scheme of things I am, but also in stark contrast, just how significant I am to Heavenly Father and how much good I can do if I rely on him for help and direction. I know what it means to be an instrument in His hands for good.

I am quite a foolish person: I make a lot of mistakes and even gross errors as I strive to navigate life. As I look back at such navigation, I feel embarrassed that I couldn't seem to do even the simplest things right; as if I had a map right in front of me telling me to do one thing, and yet I still chose to do another. Sometimes I wish I could go back an hour, a day, a year, or even more to try again, to try and not be as weak and perhaps do it better. When left to myself, and even in my earnest efforts to follow God, my navigation is never perfect.

This, however, doesn't matter.

No effort is perfect, but all righteous effort is magnified by the Lord. He really hath chosen the foolish and the weak to do mighty things. This is apparent throughout the scriptures as we read of men and women, not so different to us, who accomplished great things with the Lord. My mission and life has been one of seeming shortcomings stretched into successes by The Savior. He who turns all failures into victories ever seeks to magnify us and our efforts into something greater.

This gives me great comfort and hope to try again and press forward, because I can trust in a God who rejoices in my stumbling, as long as it is earnest. I may not be able to be perfect, but I can be earnest.

And I will be.

If you feel as if you aren't measuring up to those around you, or your efforts couldn't possibly ever mean anything, I encourage you to embrace the gospel more fully and believe Christ. He has made the way clear and the path straight to return to him and The Father one day. He will not deceive you, but "[his] grace shall attend you" as you strive (Doctrine and Covenants 88:78). I know this to be true. Ask God, and he will help you to know it as well.

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up.

Elder Childers

Elder Yorgason and McKay for exchanges

Me and Elder Yorgason helping a member move with the van!

Dinner with Ket for Elder Lambert's birthday! He is a great friend from China who lives in Glasgow and it was great to see him again.

Elder Lambert and Yorgason on the ferry with their juice bottles.

Me at Lough Brickland where the first Irish convert was baptized into the church by the Apostle John Taylor.