Ronald L. Johnson’s August devotional was entitled, "What Part Will You Play on The Stage of Life?" Johnson, and his wife are service volunteers at BYU–Hawaii. He began his devotional by speaking about the peace that Christ brings to people’s lives. He said, “The gospel of Christ is the gospel of peace.”
He read John 14:27, which describes the peace that Christ gives. The scripture describes that one should not be troubled. He spoke about the prophecy of President David O. McKay said students at BYU–Hawaii helping to “establish peace internationally.” It is important that each person play his or her role in the play of life, according to Johnson. Each person needs to make a plan, and “translate it into a plan of action.”
He spoke about his job helping students find job opportunities after college. He emphasized the importance of knowing what to do before graduation. Some students had no idea what they wanted to do after college and others had “unrealistic expectations.” He encouraged the students to establish milestones and track their progress as they go. While at BYU–Hawaii, there are more resources to help students than when they leave. He emphasized that students needed to take advantage of the opportunities and resources in Laie.
He told a personal story about a trial he had encountered in work. He had been the person who had priority to get a job promotion and did not receive it. Instead of focusing on the fact that he did not receive the job, he moved on because he understood the bigger picture. Even though it is important to have a plan, things do not always work out the way that people expect and it is important to continue to grow and change.
He related the story of President Henry B. Eyring, who told the story about his father, who experienced pain when he moved. His father spent a day of service weeding a field of onions. He later found that the field he had just spent hours working on had been sprayed so the weeds would have died anyway. Instead of becoming angry he said, “Hal, I wasn’t there for the weeds.”
He also warned about the harm of pride. He related the metaphor used by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, in which he talked about a pen of many colors that did every task that he needed it to. He said that the pen did not complain about being used for menial tasks. He said that people should be like the pen, happy to serve in any way possible when asked.
He told the audience to prepare yourself to do their your part in the play of life. Each person will have a different part to play. It is his wish that we will relinquish our pride and be willing to do what the Lord asks by being committed to the Lord and publishing peace throughout the world.
To read Brother Johnson's full devotional address, click here.