Today’s Miracle Monday is an experience from Sister Rosanne Champine on our theme of “reading scripture.” Enjoy!

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite hymns was a chorus we often sang in MBA:

“Only to be what He wants me to be, every moment of every day.
Yielded completely to Jesus alone, every step of the pilgrim way.
Just to be clay in the Potter’s hand, ready to do what His word commands.
Only to be what He wants me to be every moment of every day.”

I was baptized when I was 17 years old. A couple of years later, while still very certain of my decision to serve the Lord, I began to struggle with concerns of how I was going to handle all that lay ahead for me in life. More than anything external, I was frustrated with myself, frustrated that things seemed to be so difficult and overwhelming to me while they seemed so easy for others.

One night, as I lay in bed discouraged, I cried out to the Lord, asking Him for peace through His word. When I picked up my Book of Mormon, the pages opened to Alma 29. As I read the chapter, certain verses impressed themselves upon me. I felt that the words written by Alma so long ago were God’s answer to my prayer, and that understanding was accompanied by the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God … and this is my joy.

The Lord was telling me not to wish to be someone else but to find contentment in seeking and fulfilling His unique purpose for my life. Like the song I loved as a little girl, the answer was — as it is still today — to strive to become who He wants me to be, every day, every moment. Anything or anyone else that I look to or try to be will only bring frustration. But yielding to the will of the Father will bring peace, joy, and contentment and, most importantly, bring others to Christ.

Romans 8:28 is true, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are all called according to His purpose.”

According to His purpose, not mine.

God taught me this important lesson years ago — easier, sometimes, to say than to do. But through Christ and the Holy Spirit within me, inasmuch as I seek to be in His will, I can do “all things.” And this is my joy.

Thankful for Something?

Please tell us! Next month, we’ll be focusing our Miracle Mondays on things that God has done for you that you are thankful for — this leaves the door wide open for you to share all kinds of testimonies! Click here to send yours.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.