There once was a man whose lifelong dream was to board a
cruise ship and sail the Mediterranean Sea.
He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage.
He dreamed of walking the streets of
Rome, Athens, and Istanbul.
Since money was tight, he brought an extra suitcase
filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers, and bags of
powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.
He would have loved to take part in the many activities
offered on the ship.
He envied those who went to movies, shows, and cultural
presentations.
And oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing
food he saw on the ship.
But the man wanted to spend so very little money that he
didn't participate in any of these.
He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but
for the most part of the journey, he stayed in his
cabin and ate only his humble food.
On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him which
of the farewell parties he would be attending.
It was then that the man learned that not only the
farewell party but almost everything on board the cruise
ship--the food, the entertainment, all the
activities--had been included in the price of the ticket.
Too late, the man realized that he had been living far
beneath his privileges.
We live beneath our privileges when we fail to partake of the
feast of happiness, peace, and joy that God grants so
bountifully.
We can be satisfied with a diminished experience and
settle for experiences far below our privileges.
Or we can partake of an abundant feast of spiritual
opportunity and universal blessings.
As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the
prophets with all your heart and mind, the Lord will tell
you how to live up to your privileges.
And we will be able to "do all things through Christ [who
strengthens us]."