From Where I Now Stand....

I recently read that every athlete who performs at the Olympic level has put in roughly 10,000 hours of training and that there is not a single instance of a wildly talented athlete making it to that level without that minimum. Think of what that means. It means that these athletes, who know and acknowledge their talent, also acknowledge that without an experienced coach and consistent training, natural talent and knowledge is not enough. They have to admit, at some past point, that they lacked wisdom and experience, and then seek to gain it. The lens through which they view the world puts a high value on their goal - high enough to compensate for being teachable, sacrificing less worthy goals and time, and working to overcome obstacles. It is a lens that doesn't focus on the discomfort of the moment, when future Olympic glory is at stake.

Perhaps because, like much of the world, I enjoyed the recent Olympic Games, this came to mind as I thought about Abraham. Certainly, to use a metaphor, Abraham has been praised by the Lord, Himself, as being one of His most diligent mortal trainees. What made Abraham such and example on how to get the most out of this mortal preparation for eternal life? Why was he given the title "Father of the Faithful?" I have become convinced that, like the Olympic athlete, it had to do with the lens he used as he went through his mortal journey- the lens modern prophets call spirituality:

To the faithful, spirituality is a lens through which we view life and a gauge by which we evaluate it.

Each of us has a personal lens through which we view the world. Our lens gives its special tint to all we see. It can suppress some features and emphasize others…. How we interpret our experiences is also a function of our degree of spirituality. Some interpret mortality solely in terms of worldly accomplishments and possessions. In contrast, we who have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ should interpret our experiences in terms of our knowledge of the purpose of life, the mission of our Savior, and the eternal destiny of the children of God….

Through the lens of spirituality, we see all the commandments of God as invitations to blessings. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Spirituality,” Ensign, Nov 1985, 61)

I think one thing that amazes me about Abraham is that he seems to have functioned on that last assumption - that all the commadments of God are invitations to blessings- even when the momentary circumstances would indicate otherwise. When I reflect on my own life, it would seem during times I have made intentional choices contrary to Lords commands, I was motivated and functioned through a lense of fear- fear that I would be missing out on something of value, or making myself vulnerable to injury, or just appear foolish- if I followed the Lord's commands too closely.
Perhaps this insight into my own "life lense" helped me notice the most oft repeated direction the Lord gives his children, "fear not." (Note: Just to be clear, "oft repeated" is not "greatest" which is to love the Lord- but I do think striving to obey the greatest opens up receptiveness to the most repeated.) The first time the directive is recorded in the scriptures (chronologically speaking) is in Genesis 15, where Abraham has just returned from defending his family from warring kings. He is living where the Lord directed him to -and that means he is surrounded by power hungry men who really have no interest in learning of or obeying God.  After this battle they either want him dead or want to use his remarkable ability to survive and thrive for their own gain. Not a comfortable place to be. The Lord tells him:

Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, and they exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1)

Abraham then questions the Lord about the promises the Lord has made him. At this point Abraham and his wife are aging- they have no children- and Abraham wonders if he should go ahead in establishing a heir from his household. The Lord tells him he will have a son, but most importantly, that even if Abraham were to die it would be no obstacle to the Lord fulfilling his promises.(See JST Genesis 15:9-12) And then the account reads:

And he believed in the Lord and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

The word "believed" really caught my eye- perhaps because what we believe often determines what we think and what we fear. My experiences thus far with looking up words in the original Hebrew has been very rewarding, so I thought I'd try it with this word. It was worth it. The most literal translation is "firm." When used as a noun it can be translated as "pillar." And what does a "pillar" do? It upholds and supports something. So the verb "believed" could be translated "stood firm in support." He was confident in the Lord and stood up for Him. How remarkably that fits with what the Savior said sustained Him:

My meat (food- that which sustains) is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work. (John 4:34)

Thinking on this, it hit me how confident the Savior was as he ministered and taught. When you consider the intense cries for his death that came from those in power, he showed a shocking lack of fear. His steps seemed to be confidently determined, not by outward circumstances, but by what flowed from inside. Which brings me back to "fear" because I did look up that word too, and what it literally means is, "a flowing from the inside." Having felt a bit a fear in my life, I think that is a very good description. But it also describes some deeply motivating and sustaining emotions such as awe, faith, reverence. Which, in turn, helps me understand why the same word is used to indicate a "life lense" the Lord directs us to have- "fear of the Lord." In fact just a few chapters after Abraham is told to "fear not," he is commended because he "fearest God." (Genesis 22:12) So "fear of God" is an element of faith and part of what enabled Abraham to become the "father of the faithful." In the Bible Dictionary found in the King James Bible published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it explains:"

Fear of the Lord"…is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship, and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All-holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that "perfect love casteth out"….The first effect of Adam's sin was that he was afraid. Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God's child should feel in a loving Father. (Bible Dictionary, p.672)  

There is the word "confidence" again. Interesting because it is the last word I would've used with the word "fear" before studying this in the scriptures. To me, now, "fear of the Lord" means humbly, gratefully allowing God's position (creator and sustainer of the earth, all that I love, every breath I take) and my position (um, pretty much a dependant, learning, growing child) to sink deep within so that it becomes the primary motivating factor for the thoughts, words and action that flow out of me. Those action include actively putting my, admittedly humble and very imperfect, support firmly behind the Lord, his directions, and his plan for me and all His children. Thus I trust him with my life and take each step of this mortal journey viewing it with a lens made of firm confidence in the Lord's teaching, enabling, sustaining comforting presence.
At least, that is the lens I am training to obtain. It is a work in progress, and from where I currently stand the view is…admittedly limited. Often it feels as if I am in the thick of the trees, on a winding uphill trail. There are times that every ounce of energy I have is concentrated on making sure the next step takes me forward along the path. I continue in my efforts to move forward because I know I am on a path that is taking me somewhere beyond compare. Occasionally I turn a corner, and the trees thin and I get a hint of what I am training for. What I can see takes my breath away and, I feel renewed in my efforts, tired mortal muscles momentarily forgotten, Oh, how grateful I feel for a marked path that makes it possible for me to reach my goal! I know and trust my coach. He is a friend and trainer like no other- completely unselfish; able to strengthen and sustain, and ease unbearable aches; always there. My view now is not what I know it will someday be- but I have for a travel companion and trainer one who has already completed the climb and whose view is unlimited- constantly He witnesses to me of how much it matters to just keep moving forward; of all I have to gain and share with those I love. And more and more I realize that I get up in the morning out of hope, and joy, and being firmly motivated by the promise of the view to come. And, I think, perhaps, I am beginning understand just a little, what motivated and sustained Abraham.