Arrows, pathways, and stairways all lead somewhere. We see them in our everyday lives. We hardly give them a thought when we know where we are going. We willingly follow an arrow when we know that that direction will bring us what we are seeking. We willingly take that stairway or pathway with anticipation when we know where it leads.
But when we are lost, every arrow, pathway, and stairway causes some anxiety as we face the unknown. Questions, doubt, maybe even some fear can cause us to hesitate, to stop, and languish in stifling old habits and attitudes.
We have learned that God's love for us provides comforting assurance when we find ourselves facing an "unknown" path. We are not left alone; even if we head down the wrong staircase or follow the wrong arrow. The Spirit will let us know if we need to change directions.
Elder Brown and I struggled with a decision as to whether we should stop picking up one of the young adults for church every week. For months, we have provided a weekly ride, since this young man insisted he had no other way to church. Realizing we won't be in Abilene forever, we pondered and prayed for guidance as to how to help this young man move forward. We sought to do the best thing for him, and to hopefully help him learn some independence and confidence. A couple of weeks ago we chose an unknown path, a path we felt good about, yet the outcome was unknown. We told him that we would no longer give him a ride to church. We felt prompted to tell him that he and his family (church members but not active) would be blessed by helping him get to church. We knew, for him to grow in the gospel, that he needed to walk the pathways and climb the stairways and follow the arrows himself.
It has only been two Sundays so far, but miracle of miracles, this young man has shown up for church both weeks. He's been driving himself, an option he told us earlier was not possible. That is a huge step in this young man's life.
This experience has been good for us. We learned that we can't walk someone else's pathway for them. We can teach them, cheer them on, cry with them, and pray for them. But ultimately, each of us as individuals has to make choices, has to take action and move forward and follow the correct arrows, stairways, and pathways to happiness.
"Happiness," the Prophet Joseph Smith wrote, "is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God."
