Sabbath Reflections - Perspective in Faith and Kindness

We live in interesting times - at a minimum we can say that things are uncertain, even paraphrasing Dickens, "it is the best of times and it is the worst of times." We are in the midst of transitioning the leadership of our government from one party to another. We are facing turbulent and uncertain economic times, both in the USA and globally. The whole world seems to be in commotion. We have seen extremely contentious, bitter and divisive campaigns in our states and in our nation. There appears to be an emerging polarization in society between good and bad, and the contrary forces at hand are seeking to confuse one from the other. Because of such, there are those who seem to have lost their way in our society. A few on society's fringe have taken to the streets in protest of traditional societal standards and mores, while enticing others to join in under false pretense. The very core of our society has come under severe attack, marriage and family. Many are concerned and troubled amid the tumult and commotion, while others blindly fail to see. The distractions and contrary voices are as innumerable as the sands on the beach. As individuals and families, and as a society, we are faced with choices amid the defining moments of our times. What are we to do and how are we to respond?

It is imperative that we look with "perspective in faith" at the commotion about us, for within such we gain understanding and have hope in what is to come. That is not to say that things will temper and "all will be well," but to say that there is hope amid the confusion and contention, born of our perspective. And within such perspective we can respond accordingly, with kindness and love.

When studying the life of the Savior we gain a greater appreciation for His tender mercy and kindness amid contrary storms. He to whom the earth was His footstool, He who created all things and had power to do all things, willingly submitted to His father and condescended to man and this earth that He created because of His tender mercy. During His mortal ministry He lived amid significant tumult, disruption and confusion; He lived at a time of severe persecution, and yet He endured in love, in kindness and with an eternal view or perspective. He set the course and the example for each of us. Through the ages His prophets have done likewise. What is the foundation of His infinite capacity and their finite capacity to so live? Where can we find peace and calm amid the storms, be they small or significant? As persecutions have raged, as contrary seas have tormented man, and as individual and family circumstances and environments have burdened the soul, we can look with an eternal perspective as to what truly matters, and respond accordingly, in kindness and love. If what we are doing is of little consequence, in the eternal perspective, such that it won't matter 0ne hundred years from now, let it not trouble us beyond measure. Let us seek for the joy in living, "with perspective in faith."

Spencer W. Kimball in his text, Tragedy or Destiny, stated, "If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective. ...if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors." (Hebrews 5:8-9) "...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:7, 9-10)

Perspective in faith is what enables us in all things and draws us nearer unto the Master, for in such we rely on His tender mercies and grace. As our proximity to Savior draws nearer, we respond in all things with greater kindness, love. appreciation and gratitude. I can recall sitting at the bedside of a friend who was about to succumb to a terrible cancer. While only moments from death she was more concerned for my comfort than she was her own. Her proximity to the Master, her understanding her mortality with perspective in faith carried her to exalted realms.

Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Let us reach out with love and kindness to those who would revile against us. ...In the spirit of the Christ who advised us to turn the other cheek, let us try to overcome evil with good."

We strive to be constant in the words of Philo of Alexandria, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is engaged in a great struggle."

Our capacity to extend greater kindness, love and charity is commensurate with our perspective in faith, and therein lies the capacity for greater joy.