What shall I do? What shall I say? What shall I write?

Advice from a terminally ill man to his friends and family who asked these same questions flashes into my mind. Just say something. Just do anything. 

I’m sure when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus, Saul thought He would simply and directly answer his question: “What shall I do?” Instead Jesus told him: “Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do” (Acts 22:10).

Saul, in blindness and faith, arose and went to Ananias for guidance. Likewise, I need to arise and go to the Lord for instruction.

While reading 2 Nephi 3:24, I gained some insights into the Lord’s answer to my “What shall I do?” I wrote: “I will rise up and do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God.” Wow. That sounds marvelous yet daunting. So how can I really rise up and do much good?

I love the Savior’s example in Mark 1:35.”And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

Why did the Savior rise up a great while before day and pray? Why should I RISE UP a great while before day and pray? To get specific direction. To know what God would have me do today.

How exactly do I RISE UP?

The answer is pretty simple. But the application entails on-going practice and progress. Rise up early in the morning, read my scriptures, and ask God what He wants me to do and be today. Ask what He wants me to write or say or do. Ask who He wants me to help and how. Then do it.

To me, RISE UP is an invitation to:

Read
Inquire
Seek
Enlightenment

Understand
Practice

Reading the scriptures and inquiring of God to seek enlightenment enables us to be led by the Spirit to do much good. As we understand the things that God wants us to do, we exercise great faith by doing what He inspires us to do. As we practice daily to inquire what God would have us do and then do it, we are instruments in His hands to share His light, His love, His truth, and His goodness with the world.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invited each of us to “rise up and become the person you were designed to be.”

Will you RISE UP today?

Will you ask: What shall I do today that I may become the person I was designed to be? Who in my circle of influence could I help today?

Will you read and inquire to know what “one thing is needful” He would have you do today that is great in His sight?

Will you practice by doing that one good thing He has inspired you to do today?

Will you RISE UP and do more good tomorrow?

I will.

Will you take it one step further and RISE UP and SHARE? Share what you read, share your questions, share your insights. Sharing encourages each of us to RISE UP a little higher and be a little better day by day. So please share your experiences with His guidance and goodness in your life with us.

#riseupandshare