The Wall

As I type this morning, I'm anticipating that I'll get a phone call.  I don't want to answer it.  It's not going to be the school, it's not a scary bill collector or an annoying salesman.  It's one of my very best friends.  On any other day of the week, I love to hear from her.  But not Wednesday mornings.  She's going to say, "Are you going to class this morning?"  And since I haven't thought up a good excuse, I'll have to say yes.  What kind of class, you ask, would bring such dislike?  Not a math class or a Spanish class or a cooking class.  An aerobics class.  Yes, I realize that I need aerobics like I need a heartbeat.  I'm out of shape and overweight, so I should jump at the chance (pun intended) to take an aerobics class - especially one as good as this one.  But I can't stand it.  In fact, I can't stand anything that takes me out of my little comfort bubble.  I don't like to be too hot or too cold or too tired or too sore or too embarrassed or too nervous.  I'm kind of a wimp that way.  Once I'm done with whatever has made me uncomfortable, be it exercise or housework or talk in church or anything in between, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.  It's just getting over that wall that's hard for me.

©Darrell Wyatt

And it came to pass that in this year there was on Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people.  And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land. (Helaman 13:2)

 
Samuel the Lamanite.  Now there's a guy who knew how to get over a wall - both literally and figuratively.  He was ready to give up and go home.  No one wanted to hear from him.  They "cast him out".  But the Lord was not finished with him yet.  He told Samuel to turn around and go back.  He was to prophesy to the people "whatsoever things should come into his heart".  So, without questioning, Samuel did just that.

And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart. (Helaman 13:4)

I'm sure he was scared.  These people didn't want to hear what he had to say.  But he decided to leave his little comfort bubble and do what he knew was right.  He made the decision to beat that figurative wall before he started up the real wall outside of Zarahemla.  

Life isn't always easy.  It isn't always comfortable.  It's full of aerobics classes and sweat and pain and tears.  It's full of situations that make me want to turn around and go back home.  There are things in life that are easy to climb the wall for - my family, my friends, my church.  I need to make sure that I put myself on that list.  I'm worth climbing a wall or two for, right? 

The phone is ringing...

Click here to read what I read today: Helaman 13