Isaiah 55:8-11 ~
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain
cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give
seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word
be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (emphasis added)
What is success? Most of us would agree with Webster's definition: "the correct or desired result of an attempt." Who determines what is the correct result? The person attempting? Or someone else? These questions caused me to pause and ponder while reading Alma 8-12 about Alma's mission to Ammonihah. Was his mission a success?
Who determines what is the correct result?
As backstory, Alma was called to visit many cities and preach to the people there in an attempt to call them to repentance and assist them to lived more righteously dedicated lives. The Ammonihahites were an especially hard-hearted people who were not living the gospel standards and principles and were in great need of repentance. In preparation to teach, Alma prayed. Alma 8:10 reads ~
"Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people..." (emphasis added)
I've felt that way many times as I've prayed about and for the desires of my heart - struggling to know how to help and bless my children, especially when they go through difficult times; pleading for assistance to overcome my own weaknesses, failings and fears; wondering how to strengthen my marriage and develop it into the fulfilling, rewarding, empowering relationship I would like it to be; or agonizing over friends and family challenged with heavy burdens. I've "labored much" and "wrestled in mighty prayer" for a successful outcome to my desires.
Alma must have had great faith and trust in God.
As I pondered Alma's situation in Ammonihah, I came to the conclusion that Alma must have had great faith and trust in God. Because, by the world's standards, his prayer was not answered successfully. First, he was ousted from the city when he attempted to teach. Commanded to return by God, he finally preached to the people many profound and doctrinally rich truths. However, the apparent outcome of his mission to Ammonihah was that the faithful male Ammonihahites were cast out of the city and stoned, all the faithful wives and children as well as the scriptures were thrown into a huge fire and consumed, and Alma and Amulek, the faithful missionaries, were imprisoned for days while suffering much. Judged by outward appearances, Alma's mission seems a failure, hugely unsuccessful, and it appears that the Lord did not bless or help the believers.
If we look harder, with "eyes to see" the truth, we discover another perspective of success.
This is where the above scripture from Isaiah comes into play: "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." If we look harder, with "eyes to see" the truth, we discover another perspective of success. For example, we know that because of this experience at least one person (who may not have believed in any other set of circumstances) was converted: Zeezrom, who went on to be a faithful, successful missionary to other peoples. Also, we learn from Alma 14:11 that the Lord received the wives and children "in glory," that they were all saved. Also, Alma and Amulek's faith was strengthened through the challenges they faced, they were able to work miracles, and they successfully taught many other people on subsequent missions. And, this account in the scriptures has helped me come closer to the Lord as well. Much success.
God knows the end from the beginning and is working not only for our own salvation but also for all those around us.
Sometimes the Lord's answers to our most fervent prayers result in situations or experiences that may look like failures in the eyes of the unenlightened or worldly. Sometimes the situation appears not only unimproved but seemingly worse after heartfelt prayer. In reality, God knows the end from the beginning and is working not only for our own salvation but also for all those around us. The seeming "failures" really are successful when viewed with an eternal perspective. We have to have the faith and trust in the Lord and pray to have the "eyes to see" His eternal purposes.
Wow!!!! What deep observations. I will try harder to look at some things that occur with me and around me through those eyes to see. Thank you, Dawn!
ReplyDeleteThis insight came to me a few years ago after I went through an extremely difficult time with Hunter. He was struggling in school, partly because of his own challenges and partly because of problems with the school system and the classroom to which he was assigned. I had implemented many things to help him at home but things just continued to get worse. His school day was ultimately cut in half and I was supplementing his schooling at home for 2 1/2 hours every day. He still continued to have outbursts at school which led to calls home, being sent home on occasion and once being suspended from school for several days. Needless to say, this stress negatively impacted our home, family and marriage as well. My fervent, heartfelt prayers seemed to do no good as the situation worsened.
ReplyDeleteThis account in the scriptures stood out to me, and as I pondered upon it, I was impressed that the Lord was telling me that my efforts were sufficient and were fulfilling the purposes the HE had designed. I just needed to continue on in faith that the situation would work out for the best and that Heavenly Father had my best interests, Hunter's best interests and our family's best interests in mind and that this experience was serving to fulfill those... even though to me at the time it appeared completely unsuccessful in our family, marriage, and Hunter's schooling.
Looking back on this experience I now see how it helped me grow in confidence before the Lord and in my own abilities, and to grow in faith in the Lord's purposes in ALL things. It also helped Hunter recognize cause and effect in his actions and his schooling has much improved since then. And it helped Lynn and I learn to rely upon and turn to Lord more and to each other, thereby strengthening our marriage. All success.
Love this!
ReplyDelete