November 19, 2016
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By John W. Hugo
When I was young, I played soccer. Being too slow for the offense, I played defensive positions. Every fullback who yields to the urge to score and runs up field hears their coach shout, "Hey you, yeah you, hotshot! Play your position!" If a fullback doesn't play his position, the wing can slip in behind him and can score easily because no one is there to challenge him.
What this lesson has meant in my life is that while I am not in control of everything in my life, I can influence for the good the things that are right in front of me. God never asks me to face 10 challenges all at once; rather He sends them to me one at a time, and only the ones He equips me to handle.
Keeping one's eyes on larger matters is important, but the small daily challenges and responsibilities God sends one's way should most occupy a person. Worrying too much about the things one cannot control diverts one from accomplishing the good that is right in front of one to do.
For some it seems important to make speeches about egregious generalities or to make dire predictions about what may or may not happen than it is to be Christ's hands, feet, and heart in their daily lives. What if the Savior Himself had not played his position!
