So Long As We Are Nothing

Steve's cousin, Keith, is a Pastor at South Hills Church in Washington.  He always has great insights into life and we've been blessed to have him in our lives.  The other day he put this quote on Facebook:

"God created the world out of nothing; so as long as we are nothing, he can make something out of us." - Martin Luther"

While most of the comments he got were things like, "So true" and "Thanks for that reminder", one person said, "So the question is- how do we empty ourselves of the world so he can make something out of us?"

I believe that the answer to that question lies within the scriptures.  Specifically Matthew chapter 5.

"1 ^aAnd seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

 3 ^aBlessed are the ^bpoor in spirit: for theirs is the ^ckingdom of heaven.

 4 Blessed are they that ^amourn: for they shall be ^bcomforted.

 5 Blessed are the ^ameek: for they shall inherit the ^bearth.

 6 Blessed are they which do ^ahunger and thirst after ^brighteousness: for they shall be filled.

 7 Blessed are the ^amerciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

 8 Blessed are the ^apure in ^bheart: for they shall ^csee God.

 9 Blessed are the ^apeacemakers: for they shall be called the ^bchildren of God.

 10 Blessed are they which are ^apersecuted for ^brighteousness’ sake: for ^ctheirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall ^arevile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of ^bevil against you falsely, ^cfor my sake."  From lds.org

It is not enough to rid ourselves of sin, temptation, and distractions.  We must fill our lives with good.  When we are poor in spirit there is no room in our hearts for pride and hate.  When we mourn with those that mourn there is no place for self-pity and idleness.  When we are meek we are willing to submit to our Father in Heaven's will and rebellion will leave our hearts.  When we hunger and thirst after righteousness we lose the desire to feed the desires of the natural man.  When we have mercy bitterness and revenge are done away with.  When we are pure in heart there is no room for evil doings.  When we are peacemakers contention, anger, grudges, and hurt depart.  When we withstand persecution of men for the sake of our God our convictions are set in stone and our faith will not be shaken.

When we are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure, and peacemakers the world will very likely view us as nothing.  After all would you describe President Obama, Tom Cruise, or Nancy Grace like that?  They may have some of those attributes (I can't say they don't have any, I don't know them personally).  But, for God to be able to make something with us we need to become those things.  Did Ghandi have power and strength?  No.  He was meek and pure in heart.  Was Mother Theresa proud or carnal?  No.  She was merciful and gentle.  Was Joseph Smith rebellious?  No.  He was persecuted for Christ's sake, pure in heart, and a peacemaker.  If we want God to make something of us we have to be willing to first change ourselves.

Although this quote is directed to women, anyone can understand the meaning and let it help you change your life.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

Margaret D. Nadauld, "The Joy of Womanhood," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 14.

As far as I'm concerned, I know now how to rid myself of the world and become nothing so that God can work with me and make something out of me.  It's not something that can happen in a day, a week, a month, or even a year.  It is a daily commitment to live your best and a desire to become more Christlike.  When I make a mistake I can repent and try again...and again...and again.  We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to try our very best.