There is a world of distractions vying for our attention, but what truly matters most?
Photo by Ethan
In his general conference address titled “Now Is the Time,” Elder Jack N. Gerard tells the story of when he boarded a plane to travel on a business trip. Despite experiencing troubling chest pain, he had been cleared by his doctor to fly. When the plane landed, Elder Gerard was met by an ambulance and told that he had been misdiagnosed. He actually had a potentially fatal condition and needed surgery immediately. Before being rushed to the hospital, he was told that now was the time to get his affairs in order. In that instant, Elder Gerard saw his life with perfect clarity. His trip and his work all fell from his mind as he turned his focus to what really mattered—his family and the life of faith they had built together.
Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt…. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” (Matthew 6:19–20). On earth, we value comfort and money and recognition. In heaven, what matters most are relationships, faith, and personal development. While earthly things have a place in our daily lives, we must be careful that they don’t overcome our focus on what matters most. As Christ warns, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
I want to view my life with the clarity Elder Gerard had when faced with life or death. With the Spirit to guide us, our perspective can become eternal, and we can focus on the things that matter most.
Source: General Conference
—Rebecca Watkins, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY SPENCER SELOVER
Find more insights
Watch and listen to Elder James E. Faust’s insights on listening to the Spirit in a video titled “Voice of the Spirit.”
Read more about focusing on what matters in President Uchtdorf’s talk “Of Things That Matter Most.”