Hi-na-nee

August 18, 2017, 2:07 am
Filed under: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, faith, LDS, Mormon, religion, trials

Robert Wheadon-126x150

Hi-na-nee, (הנה אני) is a transliteration of a Hebrew word. It translates into the English phrase, “here I am.” The phrase only occurs four times in the Bible, all of them in the Old Testament. In Isaiah, the Lord assures Isaiah that He is present. Two other occurrences are in 1 Samuel with King Saul. The citation I would like to discuss today is found in Genesis 22:1. It says:

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt (try) Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”

This is the story of Abraham being commanded to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah. I don’t want to go into that story today, but I want to talk about Abraham’s presence of mind, even before he was informed of the trial before him. Before Abraham knows what God wants, he says, “Here I am. I’m ready. Put me in the game, coach.” It’s an attitude I don’t think many people possess. I know I don’t. The reason is that God could introduce anything! When God calls, it usually doesn’t mean we are soon to be the happy recipients of $10 million dollars or win a year’s supply of Dr. Pepper. I have found that when God calls it is usually to help me grow as a person. And I’m rather stubborn when it comes to personal growth. I like the way I am. I make a mean batch of spaghetti, can throw a decent Frisbee and belt out a passable rendition of Love, Love Me Do by the Beatles. How much better can I get?

If you ask God, apparently quite a bit. And it’s the same with all of us. Remember that one of the main reasons we are here in mortality is to better ourselves, to polish our souls, to buff the imperfections out and return to heaven. Yet only if we so choose to let the Lord work in us that way, because He will never violate our ability to choose. And yet, He even opens the way to turn towards Him when we choose poorly.

How do we get all shiny and ready to return to our heavenly home? Usually by the things that we suffer in mortality. Trials usually come in three forms: 1) Self-inflicted. These are sufferings that result from our own dumb decisions. There are consequences to our mistakes. Yet I know from vast experience that every consequence from my mistakes has made me better and wiser and stronger. 2.) Out of the blue. These are trials that come under the heading of health crises, lightning strikes and just plain accidents. 3.) Sufferings caused by the decisions/actions of others. These are also trials that are not due to our decisions, but are due to the decisions of others.

While these definitions are pretty solid, they are also irrelevant. The source of our sufferings is more a talking point for us than for God. Our Heavenly Father is much more interested in our attitude and actions when trials occur. To develop ourselves and our souls to be like Abraham requires godly faith and trust.

In Hebrews 2:13, we read: “And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.”

The English theologian, C.S. Lewis wrote: “There would be no sense in saying you trusted Jesus if you would not take His advice.”

The point here is that no matter what happens in our lives, whether our health fails, or a loved one betrays us, or our car stalls in rush hour traffic, how we react to our trials is a key to continue our path of becoming like and understanding our Heavenly Father. The apostle Peter got it right when he wrote: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7

I’m going to remember what Abraham said when God called him. He said “Here I am.” I’m not going to remember what Abraham didn’t say. Abraham didn’t say, “What now?!” or “I’m busy!” Abraham simply said, “hi-na-nee, Here I am.”

Be kind, make good memories and come back soon.