The Ethics of Ease

Sometimes I think how much easier life could be...
it would be easier to just let myself be mean when that's my natural instinct
it would be easier to just eat whatever, whenever i want
it would be easier to not exercise
it would be easier to not worry about if my clothes were appropriate or modest
it would be easier to not read the scriptures
it would be easier to sleep in
it would be easier to just watch whatever i felt like watching
it would be easier to lie or cheat to do well
it would be easier to only focus on myself
it would be easier to sleep in on Sundays
it would be easier to date whoever comes around and not wait for someone with my standards
it would be easier to fit in with the social norms, drink, party, accept and tolerate all behaviors, etc.
it would be easier to spend money on whatever i felt like
it would be easier to not be in school
it would be easier to do and say whatever i felt like

So why not Brittany? Why not take the easy route?

Because God's plan is not for us to enjoy the luxury of ease. and ultimately in the end we can look back and see that a life of ease really is not easier. Elder Holland gives a great talk about this concept he called "The Inconvenient Messiah." He tells about how when the Savior was tempted by Satan 3 times after having fasted for 40 days, each temptation offers him an easier way. An easier way to obtain food (turn stones to bread) an easier way to gain followers (cast himself off the building) an easier way to obtain the kingdom (bow down and worship Satan), always tempting Christ to take the easy way. Chris was capable of doing any of these things, but He knew that that was not God's way or God's plan. God's plan stretches us and makes us take the harder route. Elder Holland goes on to say, "It is not easy to go without-without physical gratifications, or spiritual assurances, or material possessions-but sometimes we must since there is no guarantee of convenience written into our Christian covenant. We must work hard and do right, and sometime our chance will come. An when we've tried, really tried, and waited for what seemed never to be ours, then the angels may come and minister unto us."
Sometimes I feel like it would be so nice to just throw in the towel and take the easy route, but I always have to remember the bigger picture, God's picture, and the ultimate goal, which calls for no excuses, no short cuts. Self mastery, otherwise known as self control is a gift from God, and one that I have to strive to acquire constantly. He wants us to control ourselves, our thoughts, our actions, with faith and trust in Him and His timing (that last parts the kicker for a control freak like me:)
So in the words of Elder Holland, "If sometimes the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart; So it has been with the best people who ever lived." Amen Elder Holland...Amen.