"An Opportunity to Do Good..."

A mantra, as I'm using it here, is a short phrase that reminds a person how to act. For example, the Boy Scout Slogan, "Do a good turn daily," could be a mantra. President Monson's mantra might be "Never postpone a prompting." Sister Camilla Kimball, the wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, may be the source of another mantra: "Never suppress a generous thought." That one has inspired me many times to do the more generous thing when torn between decisions. Earlier today, I faced a decision that may have given birth to another mantra.

While riding the bus home from school this afternoon, I noticed a food container that someone had left discarded in the back. I observed that there was (probably spoiled) food in it, and I decided that I should throw it away when I got off the bus. It wasn't my garbage, but I knew that it was my responsibility to throw it away. As I came to that decision, or possibly just before I did, this thought came to my mind: "An opportunity to do good is an obligation to do good."

I'm not sure how I feel about that phrase as a mantra. It's not that I don't think it's a good thought; it's that I'm not sure that I can live up to it. Each day, we're given many opportunities to do good. I'm not sure whether I can handle having that much responsibility. On the other hand, isn't it true? Doesn't God expect us to do as much good as we can? Well, yes and no. He expects us to do as much good as we can, but human ability is limited. Couldn't it be said that we're sometimes too tired, too busy, or too poor to do what we think we should? Are we obligated to do it anyway? Will we be held accountable for every time we notice an opportunity to do good, but don't take that opportunity?

I'm afraid that we may be. God puts opportunities in our path, hoping that we'll take those opportunities to do good, partly so we can bless others, and partly so He can be justified in blessing us. When we don't take those opportunities, I feel like we're letting Him down. Still, "obligation" is a strong word. I'm sure that God doesn't want us to beat ourselves up over every opportunity we pass up. Sometimes, we have good reasons not to do the good things we could think of doing. For example, I could go to the Bishop's Storehouse tomorrow morning to volunteer for a few hours, but I have homework to get done. Is this a "good, better, best" scenario, or could it be said that I don't really have an opportunity to go to the Storehouse? I mean, I could do it, but I also have to do my homework. If I could do both, I probably should, but I'm not sure I'll have time. Plus, I don't feel like I'm obligated to go to the Storehouse tomorrow morning.

I think that's a good determining factor to tell me whether this new mantra applies to a given situation. If God really wants me to do something, He'll probably make me feel like I should, just like He did earlier today. The Holy Spirit is good at reminding us of applicable quotes and scriptures. If I see an opportunity to do good, and I find myself thinking "An opportunity to do good is an obligation to do good," then I'll probably do it, just as I did today. I'm not sure yet whether this'll become a permanent thing that always applies to me, a personal mantra I spend the rest of my life trying to live by, but I see that kind of potential in it. It's a good thought, it may even be true, and I feel like it may have been inspired by the Spirit. Hopefully, the Spirit will give me the discernment to know when God wants me to do good, without making me feel obligated to do as much good as I possibly can. I'll admit that I should do as much good as I can, but I really hope God doesn't actually expect me to.

Okay, hold on! I was going to conclude with that, but then I thought of how horribly lame that is. "I really hope God doesn't actually expect me to do as much good as I can"? What, am I trying to give myself permission to not do as much good as I can? To hold back, to be lazy, to not live up to my potential? I'm a Paladin! I don't look for excuses; I pray for strength! EVERY opportunity I have to do good IS a personal obligation to do good.

I just pray that God will grant me the will-power to meet those obligations. I am far too weak far too often. Maybe facing a challenge like this head-on will make me stronger. And even if it doesn't, at least I'll have gotten some good done; more than I might have before I adopted this mantra, at least. And I'm sure it'll help me have the Spirit with me more often, which I'll definitely need to give me the discernment to recognize when I have the opportunity to do good and when I don't. If I actually don't have the time or energy to do something, I'm counting on God to tell me that. With His help, I hope not to make too many bad decisions in foolish attempts to do good. Anyhow, I'm going to try to follow this mantra. Not sure how well it'll work out. I'll try to keep you posted on that. In the meantime, what I most feel like I should do right now is going to bed.