Listen

During my reading this week I kept coming across the topic of listening. I know what you're thinking, "well no duh, sherlock. Isn't listening a key principle to the LDS faith?". It is. And this week that concept has been strengthened my testimony. 

I was reading in 2 Nephi this week and it lived up to its reputation. The Isaiah chapters are hard. I really struggle to understand them. That being said, when I do get something I know it's important. 

In 2 Nephi 15:4-8, Isaiah is giving this great parable about grapes in a vineyard. The master of the vineyard has done all he can for these grapes. He's given the great land, water, and food. Well, I think I can say for all of us that we aren't always the best grapes. Sometimes we want to raisins. And in this passage, when we go from being good grapes and become raisins, the Lord of the vineyard will redact the things that he is doing for us. 

 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard—I will ^atake away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down;

And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor digged; but there shall come up ^abriers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they ^brain no rain upon it. 

Now, I don't believe that the Lord will ever leave us behind in the dust. I do think He will let us figure it out for ourselves. We have to be willing to listen to him and his teachings in order to get all the blessings he wants to give us. If we just do our own thing, his protective barriers will let us overrun ourselves.