Those that be for you: 2 Kings 6:8-18

The King of Syria sent an army to capture Elisha. When Elisha’s servant awoke the city was surrounded and there was no escape, he petitioned his master ‘how shall we do?’ Elisha answered ‘Fear not: for they that be with us are more that they that be with them’. Then Elisha prayed that his servant could see what he saw – and a vision of horses and chariots of fire surrounding the prophet was revealed.

Elisha’s opening the eyes of his servant is the quintessential concept of the gospel. That there is much more going on than we can see with our eyes. To be a faithful follower is an understanding that there is lots going on that we can’t see, and much going on behind the scenes in our behalf.

At the heart of this experience is the idea of a spiritual veil separating us from this heavenly perspective.  As Latter Day Saints we recognize a veil between us and those that have died and also a veil of forgetfulness that masks our past pre-birth existence and godly beginnings.  Our royal lineage is hidden from us by this veil of amnesia and our eternal potential also obscured from our view. In this valley of mediocrity we wallow aware that there is something else but not quite able to put our finger on it.

Having this gospel narrative gives us a hope that while we struggle with our mortality that there is something much greater that we are accomplishing. By being aware of the eternal possibilities we can use our time more productively and with much more purpose.

If we exercise faith and pray for greater understanding, the veil can be pulled back a little or become very thin and we too can see at least a portion of what is really going on.

A new perpective!

Elijah: 1 Kings 17,19

Elijah is one of Israel’s most dramatic prophets. Saving the Widow with an endless supply of flour & oil, raising her son from the dead and calling down fire from heaven on his pursuers, it reads like a Hollywood screen play.

Amongst the almost theatrical are heart felt stories of the dichotomies of lifes challenges. The widow is thankful for the miraculous salvation but then is gripped with fear when her son suddenly dies. The same hand that had dealt her great favor was now the hand that was bent on her destruction. Was it a test of her faith? Was it an opportunity for Elijah to learn? Or was it a greater lesson that all the Lord does for us - is for our good, even when to looks to us like a tragedy?

As a young prophet Elijah was fearless in confronting the wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. But later on in his life despite numerous miracles and spectacular preservation by the Lord, Elijah found himself alone and afraid. In a cave in Horeb hiding from his pursuers, the Lord came to find him and teach him an important lesson. The wind came, the earthquakes came, and the fires came but the Lord was not in them. Then the still small voice came, and Elijah heard it, got comfort and was prepared to do what the Lord wanted him to do.

Sometimes we can be so sure in our beliefs that we are willing to do anything for them. In fact it can seem that our faith is unshakeable. But things start to change, we age our health decines, tragedy strikes, we find ourselves alone, we lose our jobs, our confidence is undermined, we become worried about the future, and what we once thought as sure suddenly feels very distant.  In these moments it can feel like the Lord has abandoned us that he is done with blessing us, we have been cast aside and passed over for the rising generation, not much use anymore. Winds, earthquakes and fires may also come and in these big events we still can’t feel the Lord. Yet in the still small voice we can be renewed, in His small presence we can be revisited, restored to ourselves once more and even elevated to greater faith and dedication.

It is these moments, gethsemane moments, that we grow the most, transform from caterpillar to butterfly, and become all that we are destined to become.

Elijah hides in a cave on Mt Horeb

Judgment: 1 Kings 3:16-28

We all have to make judgment calls several times every single day. Improving your choices improves your life.

Solomon was known for his great wisdom. His petition to the Lord for an understanding heart, was answered with a great blessing. And his discernment in dealing with the two Harlots cemented his ability before the people.

Why was this judgment so defining? It was simple, it didn’t over complicate the issue. It got the parties involved to reveal themselves, showing that the motives of the parties were imperative to addressing the real problem. It didn’t even matter who was the biological mother, the one who cared about the child would be the right mother. Also the fact that they were Harlots was irrelevant; Solomon treated them both with respect and compassion.  After this call, all Israel could take heart that, no matter their position they could get access to justice.

I have pondered judgment a lot. What makes a good decision? How can I make better ones?

While I am constantly surprised how often I can get it wrong, some principles have helped me be better in this area.

Be careful how you judge. Your judgment is only as good as your information and when your information changes so too might your judgment.

Along with this thought it is handy to give yourself a way out if it happens that you have got it wrong. Always give yourself and others the opportunity to change (humor is good for this).

When emotions are high – reason is low

Decisions charged with lots of emotion are not likely to be well thought out. Delay an important decision if you can, till you can distance yourself from any strong feelings. Recognize that when others are highly emotional they are likely to also react rather than act.

HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)

Since emotions play such a large part in decision making. Realize your ability can be impaired by how you feel.  If you are anxious, address a basic need like those of HALT to bring you back to a place of balance.

Like Solomon we would do well to ask God for an understanding heart. If we can break down the fears of others and ourselves we will be in a much better position to address the real needs and truly bless all whom we come into contact with.

Solomon judges between two harlots