Strength to Endure
Posted in: What's the Buzz
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
An interesting thing happened at a recent Sacrament meeting in my ward… One of our speakers called in sick the morning of. Lost their voice, could not speak! A nightmare for any Bishopric to scramble to fill time vacated by a missing member of the ward minutes before the meeting.
Fortunately, Bishoprics are guided by inspiration and revelation. The answer was to inform the members of the Ward Council 45 minutes before the start of Sacrament meeting that the Bishop would be calling on some of them to deliver a thought and a testimony. In the same style as the pioneers of old were called from the pulpit to settle parts of the southwest, our Bishop announced four Ward Council members to speak.
Fortunately, still, those with leadership callings also benefit from inspiration and revelation. A “funny” thing happened during that meeting: Each talk resonated. All were amazingly poignant and on point. And short! We greatly enjoyed the Spirit that each speaker brought. All with 45 minutes of prep time. We as a Bishopric wondered why we bother giving speakers the amount of time we do for them to prepare! Perhaps we are onto something here?
A survey has been conducted many times over the years: What are your greatest fears? Public speaking usually ranks more fearful than death. I was one of those folks; give me death over delivering a speech! I learned to overcome that fear by speaking in Sacrament meeting, teaching in church, leading quorums and committees. What is the common denominator to these two situations? The strength given to our impromptu speakers, and to me, through Christ.
The scripture found above and on our cover this issue is the Church’s 2023 Youth Theme. While living in a world in commotion, our youth will be reminded all year that they have strength to endure it all because of their faith in, and belief of Christ. This applies to each of us as well, by virtue of the discipleship afforded us as members of the Church. And for that I am grateful!
As I am grateful for each of you, who read and provide feedback about each issue of The Arizona Beehive Magazine. Here is to a marvelous 2023 where we all are strengthened in all that we set out to do, through Christ. Thank you for reading…
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