How many things are you interested in? Do you find people more interesting if they have a wide variety of interests and less so if they do not? What about me? Do you think that I am only interested in ‘spiritual’ things, and church business? If that were true it would make me less interesting than most of the people you know. Would it surprise you to learn that I am interested in everything? I created it all and know all about it. I care about everything you care about and more besides, even things you do not consider as spiritual.

Do you see yourself as a positive or negative person? Are you looking for truth or looking for error? If you take the truth seriously, you will be sensitive to things that are not true. Yet if you make this your search, you will find error according to the principle that you will find what you seek. Strive to agree, even with your adversary. Look for points of agreement before points of disagreement. Affirm before you criticize. This makes you a friend who is in a position to correct, rather than an enemy who just attacks, and makes it possible for you to win your brother over.

Do you like the fact that salvation is a free gift? When you go to the store do you expect to have to pay for your groceries? Do you resent this or find it objectionable? Are you willing to stop eating to avoid having to pay for food? You know that ultimately I provide all things for you, but not all things are free. A more realistic view is to consider the value and count the cost. Aren’t you willing to pay for desirable things of great value to you even if they are expensive? Is there anything of greater value than fulfilling the high calling of your destiny?

Have you heard that all energy on earth comes from the sun? This is true even after the sun sets, with stored energy from the sun available in food, and hydroelectric power, and many other forms. Do you know that you get your spiritual energy from the Son? It is fairly obvious that sun energy is available at night. Are you as aware that the spiritual energy that sustains you comes from me, even when you go through a dark night of your soul?