Neal Maxwell wrote: Life’s necessary defining moments come within our allotments. … Our responses are what matter. Sufficient unto each life are the tests thereof! (see Matt. 6:34)
We are to do what we can within our allotted “acreage,” while still using whatever stretch there may be in any tethers. Within what is allotted to us, we can have spiritual contentment. Paul described it as “godliness with contentment,” signifying the adequate presence of attributes such as love, hope, meekness, patience, and submissiveness (1 Tim. 6:6).
Yet there are other fixed limitations in life. For instance, some have allotments including physical, mental, or geographic constraints. There are those who are unmarried, through no fault of their own, or yearning but childless couples. Still others face persistent and unreconciled relationships within their circles of loved ones, including offspring who have “[become] for themselves,” resistant to parental counsel. In such and similar situations, there are so many prickly and daily reminders.
Being content means acceptance without self-pity. Meekly borne, however, deprivations such as these can end up being like excavations that make room for greatly enlarged souls.”
And so it is that we ought to be content in our striving and within what is allotted! Although we may not know our personal or familial allotments (acreage), our loving Heavenly Father does, as does His Son. Whatever our course in life, we will not be challenged beyond our allotment or capacity. Even so, it is incumbent upon us to strive to meet the full measure of our creation within the bounds He has set for each of us individually; born of His love and accepting in meekness and love the divine tutoring that may well come. It doesn’t demand that we seek for more, nor less, but find contentment in striving within our given allotment to meet our full measure, even becoming one with the Master. His compensatory love and sacrifice are beyond sufficient when our hearts are yielded to Him accordingly.
We often find that we become frustrated and grow weary when faced with the challenge, at times, in reaching "beyond the mark;" in our expectations and in our hopes, thinking that it is incumbent upon us to exceed that which is given. We find ourselves over extended and running faster than we have strength. We think we are achieving or striving to achieve our personal expectation, when in reality we are reaching beyond that of He who has sent us. Our contentment comes when we are mutually aligned or one with Him, and grateful for the allotment given by and through His tender mercy.
"O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." (Alma 29:1-3)
It is difficult at times, but the requirement lovingly sought, is for our willingness to yield a broken heart and contrite spirit to He who gave all, even the last full measure, to His friends – you and me. May we find peace in so doing, that we might endure well and have joy therein!
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