I was recently delighted to find in my files a talk given by Rey Cooper (some of you may be aware that he is the husband of Frank Rose's recently departed sister Sylvia) in 1984, entitled "Education That Sticks." His main point is all about importance of adopting intentional spiritual practices if we are to stay on course in our pursuit of heavenly joy.
Given that this week's message in our Joseph series is on a similar theme, I thought you might enjoy his reflections on the need to have A Plan for Life!
[A person] must know that a life guided by the Word will be very different from the life they would otherwise have followed. They might do well to have in mind a "plan for living." This would be a written document, produced [and called] "Plan for Living."
The principal purpose of life on earth is preparation for eternal life. This knowledge must have several elements:
First, that it is so.
Second, how it is so.
Third, there must be a continuous awareness that it is so-in other words, a frequent reminder to keep at it.
This document could take any number of forms designed to hold a person on course. It might remind them of ends to be achieved, dangers to be avoided, methods for attaining ends, what can be in store, and some inspirational messages [along the way].
As an auxiliary aid in this effort, one might use something like this daily reminder chart. Each individual would have their own. The idea would be to spend a few minutes each morning planning the new day, and a few more each night checking on the day's performance. (Perhaps the document could be discarded after the practice is well
established!)
(Ref. a recent article that mentioned "habit stacking" - EDM)
Daily Reminder Chart
1) Search out personal shortcomings
2) Make someone happy
3) Think about the spread of the church
4) Help someone else become better
Thank you, Rey, for these beautiful keys to a healthier life!
