The Art of the Wait: Finding Joy on the Way to the Goal

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing the Lord has taught me since I returned from my mission—and trust me, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on the sheer patience required in the field—it’s this: the journey matters just as much as the destination. We are so wired to look at the finish line, the 'happily ever after,' that we often forget to actually *enjoy* the path laid out for us.

We are constantly striving, aren't we? Striving to get to the point where the challenges are over, where the difficult conversations with an investigator finally yield the testimony, or where the assignment finally feels settled. It’s easy to get caught up in the 'more, more, more' cycle that the natural man loves so much. We look at what we *want* to be, what we *wish* our family life looked like, or what we *hope* the next quarter of our service will bring. But what if the secret to peace isn't in changing the circumstances, but in changing our focus?

I was listening to some counsel recently that really resonated with the principles we study in our Preach My Gospel efforts. It spoke to the concept of 'contentment'—not settling for less, but embracing the *present* moment as it is, trusting that the Lord has a divine timing for everything.

When we hear that message—that contentment isn't the absence of desire, but the ability to savor the current phase—it feels counter-intuitive, right? Like, 'But I *do* want my children to be fully engaged in the gospel! I *do* want my marriage to feel more vibrant!' Those desires are good, they are seeds planted by the Spirit. But the counsel was powerful when it redirected our gaze: that everything, ultimately, points back to Him. It’s not about *me* getting to the goal; it’s about glorifying *Him* every step of the way.

The Divine Redirect: Everything Points to Him

This concept of redirecting our focus—making Jesus the center of everything—is the bedrock of discipleship. It’s what we talk about in our missionary discussions, isn't it? It’s not a series of clever answers; it’s a continuous, heartfelt pointing back to Christ. When we anchor ourselves there, the anxiety over 'when' and 'if' begins to lift.

If we are focused on our own checklist of achievements, our own timeline for 'getting there,' we become anxious. But when we focus on Him—the Alpha and Omega—we realize that He is already in control of the timing, the difficulty, and the eventual glory. Our job, our sacred calling, is to keep Him at the center of our lives, to live in a way that honors Him, regardless of what the immediate circumstances are.

Making it a Daily Practice

This isn't a one-time epiphany; it’s a daily choice. It requires a conscious decision to trust the process. For those of us who are in the thick of mission prep, or those of us who have recently returned and are learning to navigate the 'real world' of gospel living, this is vital. We can’t afford to treat our lives like a series of temporary waiting rooms. We have to *live* in the waiting.

If you're looking for ways to anchor this principle this week, I highly recommend checking out the latest teachings on this topic. If you're interested in digging deeper into the scriptures on this, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. We can really unpack the nuances of scripture-discipleship together.

And hey, if you're feeling the pull to deepen your understanding of these concepts, Davee has put together some excellent AI Investigator prompts based on these very themes. He can walk you through the tough questions about patience and trust that might come up when you're studying the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants.

Remember, every member can be an Internet missionary. Our ministry isn't just when we're on assignment; it's right here, right now, in our daily lives, by choosing to be grateful and trusting even when the path ahead is unclear. Keep drawing strength from the Spirit, keep pointing to Him, and keep enjoying the journey!