A member of my ward said something to me not too long ago that made me kind of chuckle to myself. She said that my husband and I were “platinum members” of the ward. I had never heard that phrase. I laughed and asked her what it meant. I’m not sure if it was a term that she coined, or had heard somewhere else, but regardless, she explained that it meant that we were active, always participated, and were the type of members to never say no.
It made me think of President Uchtdorf’s recent First Presidency Address, Brother, I’m Committed in the Liahona. It is a great article, and there is something in it for every member of the church. Something that really stood out to me was when he said the following:
“There is a difference between intention and action. Those who only intend to commit may find excuses at every turn. Those who truly commit face their challenges squarely and say to themselves, “Yes, that would be a very good reason to delay, but I made covenants, and so I will do what I have committed to do.” They search the scriptures and earnestly seek the guidance of their Father in Heaven. They accept and magnify their Church callings. They attend their meetings. They do their home or visiting teaching.”
I don’t know that every time I say yes to a responsibility, or an extra task that I’m actually saying to myself, “I’ve made a covenant, so I’m committed”, but I do know this fact. I do feel responsible. I do feel like it is my duty to never say no to a calling, give all I can, and be the best member I can. Now, this article is not to say that I am always perfect, or that my faith never waivers, because that just wouldn’t be true. I can think of many more faithful people in church history who have gone before me and set better examples at always doing what is asked. Especially this time of year, I can’t help but think of the Pioneers.
No one is perfect, though. We are still weak, we are still learning, and we are still doing the best that we can. At least, we hope that we are. Every member of the church will be judged in the end for their own faithfulness. While I can’t worry about how committed others are to what they are doing, although I admit, sometimes I do, I can only worry about my self and whether or not I am truly committed and doing all that the Lord asks of me. Even if others view me one way, I know that I have a lot to improve everyday to become perfected, and to be 100% committed in all things.