I know it has been a while but something happened today that I just have to share. I was supposed to be to work by 3:30. I wasted most of my morning doing silly things, watching netflix, reading, and figuring out my fall school schedule. at 2:30 I got ready really fast, remembering that I had to stop by the pharmacy on the way to work to pick up some medicine. I left the house, turned on the music, and just drove. After picking up the medicine, I went to pull out of the parking lot only to realize that I couldn't turn the way I needed to. So I decided I would go right and just make a simple U-turn to get going the right way. So I did just that. I made my u-turn and went on my merry way. Only a few seconds later I saw the dreaded blue and red flashing lights. I had no clue why I was being pulled over- but I pulled over! I was scared out of my mind, it was the first time that had happened. As the officer approached he asked "do you know why I pulled you over?" I told him I had no idea (as I frantically kept searching for my registration). He then continued to tell me that not only had I made an illegal u-turn, but I had almost been t-boned by another car that was behind me. I was shocked, I had not seen or heard any cars even close to me. He was surprised I didn't hear the screeching of tires as the guy stepped on his breaks. I swear my music wasn't that loud- but I knew I wasn't blind. I go lucky, the officer let me off with a warning telling me the Utah u-turn laws, and telling me to be sure to pay better attention to my surroundings. Then we both went on our way.
As I got to work, I continued to think about the experience I had just had. I could have been in a terrible accident, I could have been hurt, I could have hurt someone else- but instead I didn't even know I was in danger. I thought I had just made a simple turn to redirect myself.
I found this quote by Elder Packer:
"Strangely, doing the
wrong thing often seems reasonable, possibly because it seems to be the easiest
course. We often hear as a justification for wrong behavior, “Well, everybody
is doing it.” This evil distorts the truth, and its author is Satan."
I had done the wrong thing, simply thinking it was the most logical thing to do to correct my mistake. I had seen u-turns done there before and so I thought that it was completely legal. I could have driven back around through the parking lot and exited at the right spot- but I had been too lazy for that, to rushed. So instead I broke the law, and put myself in danger in doing so.
I recognized this was an exact parallel to my spiritual progression. Some times we are placed with a path that seems like it will take too much time. We are so caught up in "the music" and "being on time" and all the other little things in life that we forget to do the right things. For example: We may have the opportunity to have a day where we have time to attend the temple, more than enough time to read our scriptures, and we could even visit some people in need. But, that drive is just too far- and I went last week anyway. And I read the scriptures this morning with my family, so I don't really need to read again. So instead I busy myself with napping, reading, tv, and facebook.
As sad as it is, I realized that I have been spiritually blind. Instead of trying to be better, I try to do the easiest thing and think that I can just kind of stay where I am at. I don't recognize the temptations that surround that easy choice. The spiritual danger it puts me in to avoid doing those good things.
Just like in driving where you have to be sure to check your blind spots, signal, and obey the law. In our spiritual progression we have to make sure we constantly are aware of the blind spots where satan may be sneaking in. We must be sure to set a course- and stay on it even when others try to sway us. We have been given commandments, and blessings, and family to help us. We must use those in order to continue to safely travel through the crazy traffic packed roads of life.
Obviously we are not perfect, we will sometimes need to be fixed or helped along the way. Thank goodness for our spiritual mechanic who has already experience all of our problems and knows exactly how to help us through them. Thank goodness for a Savior who loves us no matter our mistakes and bruises. Thank goodness for a comforting spirit that warns us or makes us aware of the things that we have done wrong. Thank goodness for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank goodness for learning experiences such as this that help me to open my eyes and see.
