As a
student at the University of Massachusetts I took classes from a professor of
engineering who made students squirm in the classroom by pointing out how
little we knew and how slow we were to learn.
I was always nervous around this professor, as were most of the
students. He was intimidating and hard
to visit with even outside of the classroom.
One
morning I was in the laboratory tidying up the counters when this professor came
in. He was looking for something and
asked me if I had seen it. Looking
through the things on the tables we came across an Adventist pamphlet that some
student had left in the lab. It had a
painting of the Savior on the cover. As
I picked it up the professor said something like "You don't believe in
that stuff, do you?" To avoid a possibly uncomfortable situation and
conversation with this man who was difficult to talk to in the best of
circumstances, I nonchalantly said "no" and added the Watchtower
to the other papers I was gathering for the trash. As I watched the picture of the Savior slide
into the waste basket, I realized that I had not only dismissed an opportunity
to share my testimony with another, but had given him the distinct impression
that I was not valiant in my faith, or even worse, that I was a non-believer.
I
have never forgotten that incident, which I’m sure I will someday answer
for. It has reminded me, however, on
many occasions, that it is more uncomfortable to know I have missed an
opportunity to share the gospel, than it is to take even an awkward opportunity
when it presents itself.
In
the October general conference of 1974, Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: "To be valiant in the testimony of Jesus
is to take the Lord's side on every issue.
. . . It is to think what he would think, to believe what he believes,
to say what he would say and do what he would do in the same situation. It is to have the mind of Christ and be one
with him as he is one with his father."
Paul
gave similar counsel to Timothy: "For God hath not given us the spirit of
fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord, . ." (2
Tim 1: 7-8)
I
pray that we might try harder, in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves,
and particularly in our homes with our spouses and children, to show that we
have taken upon us the name of Christ.
He is the light which we should hold up.
His is the image that should be reflected in our countenances.
If we decide to never be ashamed, but always
to respond to situations as we think the Savior would respond, we will not be
caught off guard as I was that morning in the engineering lab. Rather than regretting missed opportunities,
we will then enjoy the blessings of opportunities taken and lives touched for
good.
