I have just
finished reading a book, Nafanua, by
ethnobotanist (one who studies the relationship between plants and people) Paul Allen Cox. The
narrative of Dr. Cox’ experience as a scientist doing research and living with
his family for a year in the small South Pacific island country of Samoa was informative
and compelling and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Having lived there with my
wife for nearly two years brought back many fond memories.
But what was
of real interest to me was how and why he came to return to Samoa after serving
a mission for his (and my) Church there many years before.
I have come
to the conclusion that many seemingly random or coincidental events in our
lives may, in fact, have the imprint of divine destiny stamped upon them—if we step
out of our ‘comfort zone’ (should be called our 'inertia zone') and engage in what we believe is ‘the Lord’s errand.’
‘When ye are in the service of your fellow man, ye are only in the service of
your God’ (Book of Mormon). This seems to be the case with Paul Cox’ return to
Samoa after years of rigorous scientific training that prepared him to return to
a land and a people that he loved with a desire to do good. He was drawn there as a result of his
preparation and love for a people. And
then he was supported in his work in miraculous ways.
That is the
key; opportunities open up for us when we have a desire and have made a
preparation to do good or to contribute in a positive way to the welfare of
humanity. Not that opposition to easy
accomplishment will not also occur, but experience shows that after the
struggle, after the sweat, and work, and setbacks a satisfying life and a step
forward for humanity can be and will be accomplished with the Lord’s help.
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