Spiritual Self Evaluation

I was asked by Sister Over to assist with her Relief Society lesson tomorrow by sharing what motivates me to increase my spiritual self-reliance.

 I appreciate this assignment because it has given me an opportunity to do a self-evaluation of my spirituality. I believe that it is normal for our level of spirituality to fluctuate, depending upon what is happening in our lives. Thankfully, I have never gone inactive in the Church. I’m just the opposite. From the time I was a little child until today I have hated missing Church. I’m always afraid that I will miss out on something really cool if I’m not there. I have found, however, that when I feel out of sorts or that something is missing in my life, that my spirituality might have waned a little bit. That’s when I know that I need to get back to doing the basics. I need to take the time to do the little things that will increase my spirituality, especially more sincere prayer and deeper scripture study.

One thing that helps motivate me is my appreciation for what the Savior has done for me. It makes me want to give back to him. I want to try to repay him by doing what’s right. I want to prove myself worthy of His great gift of the atonement.

I know that my testimony, if not fed, will dwindle away. I don’t want that to happen. That’s why I try to do things that will keep my testimony strong. Regular temple attendance is one of those things that I enjoy and love to participate in. It gives me a spiritual high each time I attend.

Another thing that gives me a spiritual boost is Education Week held on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah every August. I have been attending for over 20 years (although not every year). I always leave campus feeling very spiritually fed.

Another motivator, for me, is hope. God has given us promises of such a bright future if we believe in Him and follow His example. I don’t want to miss out on the blessings he has promised the faithful.

 2 Ne. 31:20 is my favorite scripture for that reason. It reads:

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

There are other scriptures that motivate me as well, but this is a clear favorite of mine. It reminds me to continue to press forward no matter what obstacles get in my path. It reminds me to endure to the end, and it reminds me that I will be rewarded for doing so.

Enduring to the end can be hard, but is so important. Comparatively speaking, this life is just a short little blip on the radar compared to the eternity that is beyond this life. We only have to endure to the end of this life. After this, if we have been true and faithful to our covenants, the promised blessings will come to fruition. What a blessed day that will be.