Walk with Him: Our Winks to God

In a recent Teacher Council meeting, one of the teachers shared a practice she uses when preparing her lesson. She begins by naming this task as consecrated time–time to dedicate her talents and resources to God to build His kingdom. I love, love this thought because I often think of consecration as something I will do in the future–like walk to Jackson County or donate my best china. I realize now that I practice consecration more than I give myself credit and labeling it as such invites the Spirit to help me while making the work sacred and more satisfying.

When Moses was called by God to build a tabernacle, he sought those Israelites who had a willing and wise heart (Exodus 35: 5, 10). D&C 64:34 adds to this doctrine, “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days”.

We often look for “God winks”, signs that He is there in the details of our lives. What if we, in turn, “winked” back, showing our love and gratitude for this powerful, loving relationship? I suspect that it’s not about doing more, but about being more intentional with what is already on our to-do list. As we prepare a lesson, minister, participate, or take the sacrament, label these as sacred actions you are doing to demonstrate consecration, a wise heart and a willing mind. To separate divine responsibilities from the mundane, you might even give a “wink” to the heavens!

“The heart is symbolic of love and commitment. We will make sacrifices and bear burdens for those we love that we would not endure for any other reason—not for money, not for recognition, not for power. If love does not exist, our commitment will surely wane. Having a “willing mind” connotes giving our best effort, using our finest thinking, and seeking God’s wisdom. It suggests that our most devoted lifetime study should be of things that are eternal in nature. It says to me that there must be an inextricable relationship between hearing the word of God and obeying it.” (Donald L. Hallstrom, “The Heart and a Willing Mind”, BYU Speeches delivered on December 7, 2010)

“The importance of having a sense of the sacred is simply this–if one does not appreciate holy things, he will lose them. Absent a feeling of reverence, he will grow increasingly casual in attitude and lax in conduct. He will drift from the moorings that his covenants with God could provide. His feeling of accountability to God will diminish and then be forgotten. Thereafter, he will care only about his own comfort and satisfying his uncontrolled appetites. Finally, he will come to despise sacred things, even God, and then he will despise himself.” (President D. Todd Christofferson)

As you review your day, give yourself credit for your demonstrations of love to Heavenly Father.