I’ve been a Ward Choir Director who waits for someone else to tell me what to do and when. And I’ve been a Ward Choir Director who makes decisions through the Spirit, gets approval from certain leaders, and moves forward with confidence and authority.
I’ve been a teacher who prepares my lesson, comes to church, and teaches it. And I’ve been a teacher who gets to know the youth that I teach, tailors lessons to their needs, and follows the Spirit with how to conduct my classes.
I’ve been a presidency member who shows up to meetings and completes assignments. And I’ve been a presidency member who seeks revelation about what I contribute, takes initiative instead of waiting to be instructed, and connects with the people I serve.
Why does it matter if I’m the former or the latter example for each calling?
Absolutely, connecting with others and building up my ward family is so important.
But honestly, if my Heavenly Father needs to get a message to a 13-year-old sitting in my class, and I’m not accessing the Spirit and authority that I have, He will just find someone else to deliver the message who is more in-tune.
At the end of the day, my church callings are about my Heavenly Father and me.
Am I going to learn, as Jacob teaches, how to magnify and take responsibility?
Am I going to learn that when I am set apart for a calling, I am given priesthood authority to act?
Am I going to learn that I can still show love to imperfect people that I interact with?
Am I going to learn that I can ALWAYS choose to be Christlike, no matter the limitations I face?
The lessons I can learn are endless.
And sometimes, the lesson is that it’s okay to scale back and focus on myself for a bit.
When I look at church callings through the lens of my personal relationship with my Savior, I keep everything in perspective a little better. The frustrations, limitations and exhaustion don’t matter as much, and I seem to make better decisions on how to fulfill my assignments appropriately.
How do I use every opportunity that I can in order to be a little bit better? A little bit more Christlike?
And whenever I become more Christlike, I am magnifying my calling, no matter what it may, or may not, be.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
