Keep On Keepin’ On

I want to share a quick object lesson with you. This is something I learned from my mission president, President Clate W. Mask. He was just the greatest teacher and leader for our mission. The lesson is called “Keep on keepin’ on.”

I have this jar with rice in it and this little ball represents us. As missionaries, we would face rejection and struggles a lot, but that also applies to life now. We have moments where we feel on top of the world and things are running smoothly. Unfortunately, sometimes the world slams over us in discouraging ways (turn over the bottle and the rice buries the ball).

This is where we need to keep on keepin’ on. I’ll shake the bottle to represent this. We need to keep our chin up, trust in the Lord, keep acting in faithfulness and obedience, keep striving to be better each day. As we keep on keepin’ on, it’s not long until we are back on top, feeling blessed.

Look at Joseph of Egypt. He was true to God even in the worst of times. He was nearly killed by his brothers, sold to become a slave, and then thrown into prison. He could have renounced his faith and given up so many times. He was 17 years old when his brothers sold him and it was not until he was 30 that he became the greatest in Egypt save Pharaoh.

Joseph kept his faith and covenants. He kept trusting in God. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he dared not sin against God, so he fled. Everywhere Joseph went, people saw that God was with him and he could be trusted. He kept on keepin’ on.

So that is the lesson I learned from President Mask, and I cherish it. I have taught it to my kids who have served as missionaries. I still need this reminder for myself. When life buries you and it feels hopeless, keep on keepin’ on, and you will come out on top.