✨ The adversary does not rest

But we will, someday, if we ignore him now

Photo by Beth Stevenson on Unsplash

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We were each born with a connection with heaven. Our choices and our focus strengthen or weaken it. A strong connection is a spiritual lifeline, while an unsteady one leaves us open to straying down paths that lead away from happiness.

And there are two unseen, opposing forces in this world working to encourage us toward one of those directions and away the other! Our choices — even the little ones — determine which one our heart aligns with. (2 Nephi 2:27)

The adversary (who does not deserve a capital A) does not rest in his wily efforts to divert our attention from the things that would strengthen us.

Gross evil exists in the world, but he doesn’t need to hit us with the big guns when subtle pushes toward distraction and apathy can work so much better! “Absolutely do the right thing,” he tells us, “in just a minute. Right after you look at this…”

That’s where he gets me the most often, so I’m trying to be stricter with the order I do things. Especially first thing in the morning.

I see the ordinance of the Sacrament as a beautiful opportunity for us as groups of like-minded individuals to deepen our heavenly connection. But this can happen only as we are truly present and focusing on spiritual things. On Christ.

Not so easy to do when distractions are all around us! So many things to draw our attention away from Him.

That person isn’t sitting in their usual seat … Someone in front of me is playing a game on their phone … It’s cold / hot in here … My phone just buzzed, it might be important … My back hurts; what were the pew designers thinking?? … What time is that appointment tomorrow? … Awww, look! Cute baby! … Hmm, stale bread and tap water today …

And yet we can, with purposeful and continuing effort, remove worldly cares from our minds and hands. I am sure this is why some people sit in that meeting with heads bowed and eyes closed. Removing the visual input to make more room to feel His love, remember Him, and to exercise faith in His promises.

We’re told to partake of the sacred emblems with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (3 Nephi 9:19-20) I see a broken heart as one that has cracked open its shell of natural man pride, laziness, and desires, wide enough to let the Spirit of God inside.

The real act of personal sacrifice is not now nor ever has been placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal that is in us upon the altar—then willingly watching it be consumed! Such is the ‘sacrifice unto [the Lord of] a broken heart and a contrite spirit.’ — Neal A. Maxwell

What happened yesterday, happened. What you choose to do today anyway, is all that matters.

The adversary does not rest. He knows that small distractions can lead to large distances between you, and your own eternal rest.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Lasting happiness can only be found by following the light.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. — Revelation 14:13

As humans we are small, one of billions. Yet we are not insignificant! One appreciative word, one act of kindness, one helping hand, can re-centre the path of many — including ourselves.

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