Are You Willing To Do What It Takes?

Recently, I watched an interview with a world champion athlete.  Even though the athlete spoke on many aspects of his training, there was one aspect that caught the attention of the several commentators.  The athlete was asked a question of advice, for helping those who would aspire to get into better physical condition.  The athlete responded that, before getting out of bed in the morning, one should start the day with 200 crunches, every morning.  Then the athlete went on to talk of other training.  The 200 crunches every morning was just to get the day started; it was not the end of the training for the day! 

Interestingly, many of the people who commented on the interview, responded in shock, and almost horror, to the thought of just a few crunches to get the blood flowing in preparation to start the day.  In how much horror would they respond to the actual daily training regime?  And so the question arises; Are you willing to do what it takes? 

Instead of trying to keep up with the World Champion athletes' current training programmes, perhaps it would be good to start by following their progression, and working up to that level of training.  Those world class athletes started at the beginning and worked their way up to that level, which made it possible for them to operate at the world class level.  They did learn many things along the way, and it would be of benefit to those beginning, to seek their advice.  It is wise to set the foundation first, then with dedication and persistence, pursue the goal. 

Dedication and persistence are really the keys to achieving the goal.  Are we willing to do what it takes to achieve the goal?  It seems, all too often we look for a shortcut.  Some of us are not always willing to put in the work it takes to become a world champion!  I find this is often the case when also applied to the gospel.  Are we willing to put in the work, and do what it takes to become a prophet of God?  Are we willing to do what Jesus said, 'repent from all your sins, keep all the commandments, and pursue the Father with unyeilding dedication and persistence?' 

It is not requisite that we run faster than we have strength, so do not be afraid to progress steadily every day!  It is okay, we do not have to stop progressing.  We are allowed to progress on a daily basis!  Our Heavenly Father will accept this, as we progress in the name of Messiah! 

If we ask, Heavenly Father will give us the information we need. 
If we seek to understand that knowledge, and what Heavenly Father wants us to do with it, He will reveal it to us. 
If we knock, actually apply that knowledge, become it, then Heavenly Father will open to us the result! 
You can know if you have it correct, because it will yeild the correct result. 

The question still remains: 

Are we willing to do what it takes to get the same result that the prophets before us obtained? 

If so, then give up ALL your sins, and keep ALL the commandments, and pursue God with ALL your Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength!! 

May God bless you on your journey! 

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