A major theme in the seventh chapter of 1 Corinthians is the importance of staying focused on your current responsibilities. Consider these four brief passages:
- “As God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk” (1 Corinthians 7:17).
- “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called” (1 Corinthians 7:20).
- “Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God“ (1 Corinthians 7:24).
- “And this I speak for your own profit….that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:35).
It’s easy to be distracted by good things that fall outside of our circle of influence. It’s harder to maintain our focus within that circle. I like the way The Message, a modern paraphrase of the Bible, renders verse 24: “Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there.”
We can follow the example of Ammon, who volunteered to be King Lamoni’s servant and then astonished the king by quietly and dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities in spite of dramatic events. (See Alma 17:25, Alma 18:10.)
We can learn from Alma, who desperately wanted to declare the gospel to everyone, but who chose to be content and to find joy in performing the work to which he had been called. (Alma 29:3, 6, 9).
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reassured us:
What is the most important calling in the Church? It is the one you currently have. No matter how humble or prominent it may seem to be, the calling you have right now is the one that will allow you not only to lift others but also to become the [man or woman] of God you were created to be.
My dear friends…lift where you stand!
“The Greatest Among You,” General Conference, April 2017
I would add that what is true of our formal callings is also true of the other circumstances of our lives. Paul said, “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it” (1 Corinthians 7:21). You may one day be free, which will open up wonderful opportunities, but don’t miss the opportunities you have today while you wait for that time. Are you married? Are you single? Wonderful! The Lord will give you amazing opportunities to serve within your circumstances. Embrace them, and don’t be fixated on opportunities you don’t currently have. (See 1 Corinthians 7:22, 27-30.)
Today, I will abide in my calling. I will lift where I stand. I will focus on my current responsibilities, and I will be grateful for the opportunities I have to serve right now.