Choices

Why do we make wrong choices?  Over and over again I ask myself this after failing to live up to what I know I should be.  We all become stubborn, rebellious and rationalize at times.

True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives--that is, our time and choices--to God's purposes. 

-D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life" Oct. 2010 General Conference  

 To consecrate means to set apart as holy and sacred.  Our homes and lives need to be consecrated in order to have the Holy Ghost as our companion; so we can receive answers to our prayers and direction as to what God would have us do.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men...if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. -Joseph Smith, Articles of Faith 1:13

I want to make my first priority be to nourish my marriage, and second to ensure the physical and spiritual welfare of our children.  Everything else in life is just chaff.

But before anyone starts beating themselves up (like I sometimes do), remember that God is always there ready to forgive and welcome you back.  He loves us even when we are foolish and will forgive our sins as many times as we commit to be better and change.  However, if you really are trying, you should not go into sinning with the mentality that, "I will repent after I've had my fun."  God knows the intent of your heart.

Matthew 25:32 describes the final judgement with Christ gathering the nations of the earth and dividing us out just like a shepherd would divide the sheep from the goats.  The people on His right hand were like sheep and He welcomes into His kindgdom because of their good works.  But the people on His left hand were like goats and He casts them out of His presence because they did not do good works.

I was thinking about the nature of a goat and why Christ would use this comparison.  Goats: eat trash, like to butt their head together, make life more difficult for themselves by climbing to ridiculously dangerous mountain peaks and cliffs, do not follow a shepherd but go off in their own direction, stubborn and defensive.

Sheep, follow their master and know His voice, don't eat trash, they don't rebel when given orders, stick together, mild, kind, and loving.  This is the way to be!

And these are the sporadic ramblings of my mind today.  Have a great weekend!