February is probably my favorite month of the year behind Christmas. Because except for a few years when we had it at a different time, we've always had a personal development training in conjunction with The Bish' employment. The Bish has been a seminary teacher for the last 23 years, and the last few has been an Institute teacher. That just means he has taught religion to high school and college aged children. Teaching religion is not really accurate. The objective is: "Our purpose is to help youth and young adults understand and rely on the teachings and Atonement of Jesus Christ, qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven." It's a tall order and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints makes every effort to have well trained, prepared, and worthy teachers to instruct and lead the youth of the church through years of scripture discovery and understanding.
My husband attends multiple inservice and leadership trainings. And one time a year, the teachers get to bring their spouses along and we get some of the enrichment they enjoy on a regular basis. There is always a theme. This year it was What E'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part. And I want to focus my next few posts on some of the information we were able to enjoy. But I am going to begin with the end of our meeting.
Our very wonderful and capable area director is Wes Wright. Awesome man, awesome wife Laura, and an awesome family. He usually addresses at the beginning or end or both. This time it was at the end and his thoughts gave me so much to think about. He began by sharing a short personal story and pointing out that we aren't bullet proof. We aren't so good that we cannot fall. We need to be on our guard to be able to protect and preserve ourselves and our families. And then he shared a story about George Washington. I had heard part of it but not all of it. You can read the story here:
Bullet Proof George
George Washington. "A favorite of heaven." What an amazing description. I can think of few men of that kind of character that could even qualify for that description and be President. But that is not the direction I am going. Can you be bullet proof? I think the answer is a reserved yes. The first challenge is to believe it is possible without truly trusting that you are. The humility factor. As soon as you think you *ARE* bullet proof, you are now vulnerable to every sniper who wants to take a shot. But if you believe it is possible always knowing a stray bullet can take you out, then you are still on your guard.
Some of the suggested bullets that could harm us were greed, pride, lust. I think Satan tailor makes poisoned bullets; just the kind he knows will be deadliest for us. Fortunately for us, if we have an "eye single to the glory of God," He can help us deflect those bullets or "fiery darts."
The only way to really be bullet proof or dart proof, is to do as directed in Ephesians, "put on the whole armor of God." Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word. All of these with prayer and perseverance. Looking back at George Washington, you can see that he had many of these things on his side. And perhaps he was wearing the armor of God that day. I know I can do better at dressing in my armor each day. How about you? Are you bullet proof?
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