There is a phrase in Alma 12:30 that I have seen and heard so often that I usually just breeze by it. Reading it today, however, brought a thought to mind.
“… according to their faith…”
This phrase is repeated so often throughout the scriptures. I hear it in talks and see a version of it in my own Patriarchal Blessing. I have often spent time wondering about it, contemplating its true impact, but never really settling on a complete understanding. Today, it seemed to me that it was all about timing.
The Lord always wishes to bless us. His kingdom of mysteries is there to be unfolded unto us according to our faith. There are blessings we realize according to our faith. There are promises made according to our faith. The full phrase in Alma reads:
“… therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.”
If you look at this statement, you will see that the plan had already been made. “From the foundation of the world,” is what it says. It was already there for all of us to know and enjoy. But God only teaches us of it “according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.” Really, that statement could pretty much read: God teaches us “according to whenever we are ready.”
Timing. It’s all in the timing. And not just any timing, it’s in the timing we choose for ourselves. God’s time is patient and all knowing. He allows agency and patiently waits for us to get ourselves ready to have more of what He has for us. The blessings are already there. The plan is already there. We just need to be ready for it.
There are so many blessings out there to be had. It makes me look at the things that I really want for myself. Am I ready for them? Do I really want them? When they align with God’s plan, they are there for me to have “according to my faith” OR in other words, according to whenever I am ready. The hardest part of solving a problem is being able to actually identify what the problem is. It requires clarity and perspective and then priority and continued focus in solving it. If I can gain clarity and perspective in what I want for myself and if it aligns with God’s plan for me, meaning He doesn’t have any specific reason for me NOT to have it, then I can have it … “according to my faith.”
I already know what I want. I need to keep the vision in my head. I need to stay focused and make sure my actions point and lead to my desired outcome. I need to prepare myself to become ready for all of it. Keep perspective.
Forever grateful for God’s subtle reminders!
