One day, when I was in the Sunday School Presidency, we had to find a replacement teacher for one of the Sunday school classes. We sat for about thirty minutes, making a list of names of members that would be able to take the calling. Then we spent more time to narrow the list down to three names, making a short list, but once done, we could not come to a decision as to who would be first on the list, which would be our recommendation to the Bishop.
We decided that each of us would silently pray to Heavenly Father as to his will. Once we each completed our prayers, we each silently and separately wrote down what our individual inspiration gave us. Once done, we each revealed what our inspiration was and the first name we each wrote down was the same person. The second, third and fourth names, from each of us, did not match the order we each gave them.
We presented our choice to the Bishop. At that time I felt really good that we operated within the will of God, but that good feeling of good work was dashed the following week.
On the following Sunday after we presented the list of names to the Bishop, he did not choose our first choice, he chose one of the other names we listed. This even after we made it clear to him that the first choice was inspired by God. The resulting decision from the Bishop made me angry, feeling that all that good work was for naught and what value is the will of God, so inspired that it would be ignored, even by the Bishop. This experience, at that time, certainly caused me to suffer some disheartenment within the Church. I had thought, then, that those who hold leadership positions would follow the inspiration from God and such direction would not be questioned or at least easily accepted. At that time I also thought that our list given to the Bishop should have been adhered to since we clearly stated it was an inspired list from God. It did upset me that the Bishop did not listen to us.
That was how I felt and thought then, but some three weeks later, that entire matter took a surprising turn, one that I never expected and from it came a lesson for me.
The member that the Bishop chose failed to appear to three Sunday School sessions for the class that she was assigned to teach. Each time we had to find a quick replacement and the only one that was available, each time, was the member who we listed first. Then after the three weeks passed, the member that the Bishop chose called and said that she was not able to accept the calling for personal commitment reasons. As a result the calling was then given to the very member God inspired as his choice.
When that all happened, in came the realization. I realized that I was too quick the judge and I acted unfaithfully. I failed to accept that each leader has the free will to choose and act according to his/her conscience. That even though our first choice was inspired, it was the Bishop’s right and freedom to choose.
Then came another realization.
God’s will cannot be blocked, changed or prevented. This means that God’s will that the member we listed as first was going to get that calling, irrespective of our “view points” and irrespective of how we “see it” ourselves.
His will always manifests in the manner he chooses and surely not by how we expect or want. This does not speak ill of the Bishop because God did not interfere with the Bishop’s choice. God knew what would occur and he made his will fit the circumstances in accordance to his “sight”. All did work out just fine.
So if you feel frustrated with some of the leadership decisions, fret not in it for the will of God is at work at all times to ensure that things do work out one way or the other. Our part in this is to “work” with what we have and to stop injecting our personal judgments and view points as to what the leadership should or should not be doing.
The truth that God oversees this Church is very true and part of his will is to give us experiences to teach us, so long as we do not allow our personal pride get in the way, like it did for me.
Amen
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