The Composer

"In this symphony that is my life, God is not content to be a member of the audience or stage crew. He is not even content to be the conductor. He wants to be the composer." 

"Integrity fears no hidden cameras. The actions that count the most in life are those seen by the fewest people.We feel peace when we know that the size of our audience makes no difference to the quality of our performance. The everyday Christian acts seen only by Christ are usually

the ones that make us most like Him."  

"Sacrifice is not the price we pay to earn the celestial kingdom; it is the essence of the celestial kingdom. Testimony is not the word that gets us through the gates; it is the language spoken inside. Charity is not an audition piece for the heavenly choir; it is the celestial music. Service is not a vegetable we plug our noses and have to force down; it is the celestial diet." 

"Too many are giving up because they are tired of constantly feeling like they are falling short. They have tried in the past, but they always feel like they are just not good enough. In all cases there should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. Growth and development take time. When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives." 

"Those who feel they have fallen from grace have yet to learn that grace is actually what catches them and lifts them up."

Realizing that change is a process, most of us would never get angry at a seed for not being a flower or expect a sculptor to transform a block of marble into a masterpiece overnight. In each case, we acknowledge the potential and patiently hope for and nurture the development." 

"The paths we take in our lives are also in the hands of God, and He can guide our steps. Elder Richard G. Scott said, "The Lord has a purpose for you, individually. . . . Discover it and fulfill it. It will likely not be revealed all at once but will be unfolded line upon line. As you pray and work hard, you will find threads of understanding that will lead you to the path the Lord wants you to follow for the greatest enduring, meaningful attainment, contribution, joy, and peace of mind. Faithfully and courageously follow those threads of understanding and direction."

 God loves us just the way we are, but he also loves us enough to not leave us like this. I love my grandchildren just the way they are, but it doesn't mean that I don't want them to learn to walk, it doesn't mean I don't want them to learn to talk, it doesn't mean I don't want them to learn to read. I love them enough to want more for them. God loves us enough not just to want more, but to make a way for that to become a reality. As we make covenants with Christ, he literally gives us the power to be transformed.

"Come unto me," invited the Savior when He was on the earth. Many apathetically ignored Him and went about with their lives. However, others flocked to him. Was that enough? Was coming to Him the end? Some of those who initially accepted the invitation turned away, but others stayed and became His disciples. These faithful few knew that the true end of all Christians is not simply to come to Christ but to become Christlike.  

quotes by Brad Wilcox