In D&C 58:27 it says
“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;”
So it says to be anxiously engaged, but what does it mean to be anxiously engaged? To be anxiously engaged you have to excel beyond the norm. This can be applied to most aspects of your lives, but especially when it comes to the gospel. Don’t let life pass you by; be “anxiously engaged” in life and in the gospel.Push yourself to do better in your callings in church or in serving others or in whatever Christ-like attribute that you lack. For me I have school coming up and when school starts I do not have much time to study the scriptures. I may be studying for an important class however I need to be anxiously engaged and not only study my scriptures, but write down the spiritual impressions. The whole idea behind being anxiously engaged is choosing to do something extra. We must go the extra mile and push a little further. The way I like to see it is like this:
When you see Christ on Judgment day do you want a handshake or a hug?
President Thomas S. Monson said:
*"We well could pay heed to the Lord’s divine instructions when He declared, “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.” 1 He added:
“For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
“For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” 2
The sacred scriptures provide for you and me a model to follow when they declare, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” 3 And He “went about doing good, … for God was with him.” 4
I have observed in studying the life of the Master that His lasting lessons and His marvelous miracles usually occurred when He was doing His Father’s work. On the way to Emmaus He appeared with a body of flesh and bones. He partook of food and testified of His divinity. All of this took place after He had exited the tomb.
At an earlier time, it was while He was on the road to Jericho that He restored sight to one who was blind.
The Savior was ever up and about—teaching, testifying, and saving others. Such is our individual duty as members of priesthood quorums today."
I would like to bear my testimony that I know that if you are anxiously engaged in a good cause your life will be blessed and when you see Christ on judgment day he will hug you instead of a handshake.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sources:
*https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/anxiously-engaged?lang=eng#watch=video