“First gradually, then suddenly.” That was an interesting concept that was brought up in class from out readings and it reminded me of something I learned just before I left on my mission. Life is all about the concept of things going gradually, then suddenly. We gradually learn things until suddenly we graduate. We gradually prepare until suddenly the day of the test comes. We gradually make plans until suddenly we are at the temple to be married. At each stage of our lives there are sudden events that we are given time to gradually prepare for.
The way I began to think about it was like a series of locks in a canal. A boat is at sea level on one side of the canal as it enters the first lock. The water level in the boats current lock is then increased until it matches the water level of the next lock in the series. Once the water levels match, the next set of doors are opened and the boat then proceeds. The doors are then closed again and the water level raised in the second chamber until it matches the level of the third chamber. The doors open, the boat proceeds, until finally it is at the correct level to continue its way on the other side of the canal.
In life, there are some doors that we open in our own time, there are others that open at specific, set times. When we turn eight we have the opportunity to be baptized. The time for our preparatory water to rise is over and the doors are opened. If we are not prepared, then so it is. When I turned nineteen, the time for my preparations to serve a mission were over and suddenly the time for the doors to open had come. I was either ready, or I wasn’t. Fortunately, I had spent a good teal of time preparing, gradually raising my water level through prayer and scripture study, so that I was not taken by surprise when suddenly the doors were opened. After returning from my mission, I had the opportunity to prepare for the next step, marriage. This door was one that I could open somewhat at my own pace. I was able to choose the day when suddenly I would be sealed to my wife, and thus, give myself a set amount of time to prepare.
Throughout life our doors open at different times. We can be ready for those moments by constantly raising the water level of our preparation, or we can allow each transition to overcome us as a wall of water crashing across the hull of an unprepared boat.
Overall your blog is looking great, Tanner. I particularly liked this post and how you added the locks of a canal to the concept of "gradually then suddenly." Made me think of a talk Elder Oaks gave on "Timing." Thanks for sharing. Good stuff here.
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