Do what is right

Sometimes the future is cloudy.  I have great faith that things will work out in the end, but sometimes that doesn't make decisions easier.  My whole life has been an unending chain of choices where I knew what was right to do, but I was absolutely terrified.  I'm exhausted by it, but I muddle on.  One of my favorite movies, though it received little critical acclaim, said it wonderfully:  

"Well this is what it looks like when you've actually fought in battle. It's not glorious, it's not beautiful - it's not even heroic! It's merely doing what's right! And doing it again, and again, until someday you look like this." --Guardians of Ga'hoole

Doing what is right doesn't necessarily leave you without scars.  Doing what's right doesn't necessarily leave your heart intact.  Doing what's right doesn't necessarily bring you fame, fortune, or immediate happiness, but it brings you peace.  This life is a battle.  Decisions must be made.  We are the soldiers in that battle.  We must make those decisions.  There are right and good decisions to be made.  Not every decision is clear cut with a right answer, but many are. 

"Do what is right, let the consequence follow. 
Battle for freedom in spirit and might;
and with stout hearts look ye forth till tomorrow. 
God will protect you; then do what is right!" -- Hymns 237

This is a hymn of my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I believe in these words.  I am not perfect, but I really, really am trying to do what is right.  I will tell you without hesitation that my life has not been easy in many respects.  It has not always been fair, calm, happy, or enjoyable; but by striving to do what is right I have had peace of mind and heart, even when that mind has been torn by stress and that heart has been broken by grief.  Peace has overcome me in the fire of affliction and the heartaches of my life.

"Do what is right; be faithful and fearless.

Onward, press onward, the goal is in sight.

Eyes that are wet now, ere long will be tearless.

Blessings await you in doing what's right!" -- Hymns 237

 

On my path of life, and as recently as last night, my eyes have been wet with decisions that hurt me to my very core and that I knew were right.  I know from very personal experience that blessings await us in doing what is right.  Sometimes those blessings come immediately.  Sometimes they don't come for a long time.  There will be some blessings that may not come until heaven.  No matter.  God has a promise:

 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" -- Revelation 21:4

 

I trust in that promise.  I have not been perfect, but I am really, really trying to do what is right!  It hurts, but it is a refining pain.  It tears you apart to make you into something good.  Do what is right!