Possibilities: Partnering with God to Become Your Best Self

by Kiersten Lortz

It is our desires that mold us into women of integrity and achievement—or otherwise, if we desire otherwise.

Where do I want my time and energy to be directed? How do I want to contribute to my family? Community? Church? What has held me back from living this life? What are my fears? How would it feel to live the life I envision? How would it feel to accomplish [insert goal/dream]? How do I want to feel when I climb into bed each night?

Too often we don’t start something because we don’t know where to start. When my violin students are having trouble practicing as frequently as they should, I ask them, “What is the most difficult part of practicing?” They give answers such as, “My bow hold,” “Finding the right notes,” “Keeping my bow straight.” When they’re done, I silently walk to my violin case and take out my violin and bow. I put on my shoulder rest, tighten and rosin the bow, and then walk back to them. “That is the hardest part of practicing.” As silly as it sounds, once the violin is out of the case and in our hands, practice becomes quite easy.

We should hope that at the final day when we stand before the Lord, He is not in possession of our unclaimed blessings held back due to our own uncertainties.

The fear of failure is centered on pride—not the kind we feel when we’ve accomplished something great, but the kind we feel when we lack humility. When we are more worried about being disappointed than about progressing, we have become complacent. When we are more concerned about what other people think of us than what we think of ourselves, we will never take the measures that will lead us to becoming someone greater.

During my violin lessons in college, my teacher would often say to me, “If you’re going to make a mistake, make a big one.” He didn’t want me to play wrong notes, but he did want me to play with conviction and passion. He knew that people would never pay to hear a halfhearted violinist, but they would pay for a great performance.

Avoiding the opportunity to do more is not part of Heavenly Father’s plan.

Most of us feel trapped by circumstances when we are not emotionally self-reliant. Notice that I did not say we are not emotionally strong, because I believe each of us is, but there is a higher level of emotional strength that is required for the purposes we are discussing here.

To clarify, being a martyr implies that we are “taking one for the team,” usually tinged with a trace of bitterness. Do not for one minute confuse this with Godly sacrifice. Giving our hearts to the Lord and following His path, even while sacrificing, does not brood feelings of resentment. Instead, Godly sacrifice brings us closer to the Lord and begets feelings of peace and happiness. Godly sacrifice nurtures our soul.

Someone who is unsettled with their own journey will make a point to find what’s wrong in everyone else’s.