THE OBSTACLE COURSE
by Vickey Pahnke <[email protected]>, songwriter, author, CES speaker

Have you ever felt like life is an obstacle course?  Is it sometimes
tricky to figure out which way to go or how to avoid certain
difficulties?  Every person's situation is unique, but certain assistance
is absolutely available to guide us through the tough stuff.  As we allow
the Savior to help us, we can rise above this murky, dimly lit world.
Immersing ourselves in the scriptures can transport us, at least
momentarily, out of our difficulties, our hurts.  We can feel the
protective influence of the Holy Ghost to safeguard against unrighteous,
dangerous influences or situations.  It is a sure way to be lifted to a
higher place where we may feel more peaceful, more positively directed.
Christ heals broken hearts and tends burdened souls. His love radiates
from the words of the scriptures.  The more familiar we become with his
teachings, the more prepared we are to deal with the curves thrown at us.
As we read, it's not that the obstacle course of life becomes easier; but
we become better at listening for divine direction, learning to steer
clear of detours that would throw us off course.  Our prayerful
relationship with Father becomes more rewarding.  We get better at asking
for what we need and listening for what He would have us know.

I know of a ward that maybe is much like your own.  It has a large youth
group.  Jenni, a beautiful young woman, is a member of this ward.  She
loves the gospel, loves to get involved in activities with her friends,
and is pretty much like you and me. Except that Jenni is blind.  There
are sometimes activities planned in which she cannot participate, and
others that make her feel awkward or left out.

On one occasion the young women planned a special activity with their
fathers.  In preparation, an obstacle course was set up in the cultural
hall complete with tires, sawhorses, and so on.  The object would be for
the girls, beginning at one end of the hall, to make it to their fathers
at the other end.  One by one, each receiving instruction from her dad,
they would move through this course.  The equalizing factor was that each
girl would be blindfolded.  Jenni needn't feel left out, and it would be
fun for all participating.

It must have been a hilarious night.  Fathers were getting frustrated in
voicing their directions, daughters were getting agitated and falling all
over the place.  On the sidelines the others were shouting instructions
and contradicting one another.  Laughter filled the hall.  Not one girl
was getting through that course.

Jenni was last up.  A quiet came over the hall as she stood ready for her
turn.  The other girls had whipped off their blindfolds.  Jenni would not
have the luxury of seeing this room when the games were over.  Her father
quietly said, "Jenni, listen to me.  Don't pay attention to what the
others say; just listen to my voice.  I will guide you through."

Jenni began her trip.  Among those watching, eyes widened in amazement as
she carefully maneuvered.  Once or twice she stopped to get her bearings
or to have her dad repeat his instructions, before she moved forward.
Jaws dropped as Jenni continued-never falling, never losing her
composure.  In time she made it to the finish line and into the arms of
her father, who swung her around as the others clapped and encircled the
"winners."

"No way!" "Incredible!"  The girls crowded around Jenni, amazed at how
easily she had gotten through the course that they had failed to
navigate.  "How did you do it?"

"It was easy, " Jenni said.  "I just listened to my father's voice and
did what he told me to do."

Jenni taught a powerful lesson that night.  This life is a real obstacle
course.  There are unexpected turns and pitfalls everywhere.  People on
the sidelines often shout instructions, many times simultaneously giving
different suggestions.  It gets confusing.  It is treacherous.  And it is
easy to fall.

Jenni gave us the advice we need.  At the end of this life's course our
Father in Heaven waits with outstretched arms.  We must remember to
listen to this voice and do what he tells us to do.  Where are the words
He would have us learn?  Right there in the scriptures.  The scriptures
can give us "Needed rocklike steadiness, especially in this latter-day,
topsy-turvy world in which 'all things are in commotion.'"  (Elder Neal
A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, That Ye May Believe, p.
185.)  (See D&C 45:26, 88:91 for scriptural reference).

There are loved ones to assist us and reinforce gospel truths.  There are
loving and helpful leaders and friends.  But listening to the voices
around us-even the most helpful ones-cannot, by itself, ensure our
safety.  Turning to our Father and tuning in to His counsel is a very
personal thing.  Delving into the scriptures focuses us, illuminating our
minds and strengthening our souls.  It allows us to get closer to the
Savior and to our Father in Heaven.

We notice that our prayers are more personal and meaningful.  We are
prepared to accept His will.  We more easily hear and understand His
directions.  And following His loving instructions, we can make it back
home.

Excerpted from Sunshine for the Latter-day Saint Teenager's Soul,
Bookcraft Publishing. 1999.  "The Obstacle Course," Vickey Pahnke,
pp. 215-216.