...With Settlers of Catan

I've always loved the game Settlers of Catan; however, the worse side of me tends to come out when I play. I had the opportunity recently to play with a group of missionaries and a member of the church, Brother Carlos. For a while the game was going smoothly. Everyone was playing nicely, but the more we played the more independent I became. I wouldn't make trades unless it would be to my benefit, and I sabotaged the progress of others. Meanwhile, Brother Carlos was generous in his trading and would consider the needs of the other players.



Brother Carlos and I stayed neck and neck the entire game, competing to see who could gain and maintain their points. I was determined to succeed on my own, even if that meant I had to block other people in the process. We got down to the final round, I had the cards I needed to win and my turn was coming up. Brother Carlos, just two turns before me, however, had the support of the other players because of the way he had been playing the game. In a last effort they all pitched in the cards he needed to defeat me.

I didn't understand how that could be fair. I had worked so hard to win, and I did it all alone. Yet, the more I thought about, it the more I realized that's why I didn't win. We need the help of others. It's the same way in life. Sometimes we have the tendency to be independent, and focus on our own needs and goals. But we can't do it alone. We need to be mindful of those around us. We need to depend on their help and help them in return; to be willing to be kind and serve everyone, even if it doesn't seem to be to our advantage. 

We can't do it alone. Not only do we need to all work together, but we need to turn to our Savior for help as well. He can see the bigger picture and direct us on what to do and how to do it. We may be able to get a long way without Him, but we can never win without His help. Without the Savior's sacrifice and atonement for us we cannot succeed.

...With The Better Part

Recently I've been doing a study of the New Testament. As I have worked my way through the four gospels, I continue to think back to the story of Martha and Mary. It consists of simply 5 verses:

 "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he [Jesus] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

The more I think on this short story the more powerful it becomes to me. Anyone who knows me will attest that I tend to be a workaholic. As I place myself in this scene I know which person I would be: Martha.

There is nothing wrong with working, serving, and being mindful of others, but the issue here is that Martha was putting work above God. There are many good things we can do, but there is also much better. We may not all put work before God, like Martha, but we may put other things like friends, social status, money, or even ourselves. How often do we take a moment to sit down and read the word of God? How often do we ponder on Christ's sacrafice and ressurection? These are the things of eternal value -- the better part. God's love and guidance is that "which shall not be taken away" from us.