Week 10: I Can Do Hard Things

Why does God ask us to do hard things? I’m sure at times we have all asked this question. I know for me I feel like at times I know what is best for me. Sometimes the unknown holds me back. Other times I don’t see the reasons why or the blessings that will come from following Heavenly Father’s counsel. But I have come to know through personal experience that Heavenly Father only wants to draw us closer to Him. And that is why He asks us to do hard things. Matthew 13:45-46 reads:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

“Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

When we give our lives to God, He can make so much more out of it than we can. He will work miracles in our lives. He will bless us beyond what we ever imagined possible. Heavenly Father will ask each of us to do hard things from time to time. But we can always find comfort knowing He is doing even harder things for each of us personally. I know in my life the times I have taken a great leap of faith have been the hardest, most rewarding times of my life. And I know with my whole heart that every leap taken is one closer to returning to live with Him forever.

Week 9: Watches and Waits

This last week we talked about three different parables found in Luke 15. The first is the parable of the lost sheep. Out of 100 sheep, one begins to wander and gets separated from the group. The Good Shepherd leaves the 99 and goes after the one. The next parable is the lost coin, and the woman searches everywhere until she finds the piece of silver. And finally, the Prodigal Son. The son chooses to leave his inheritance in order to seek things of the world. And the father waits and watches until the son ‘comes to himself’ and turns back to his father, where he is welcomed home with open arms.

There are times when we all feel like we are wandering, getting lost in the crowd. But the Good Shepherd is always there to bring us back to the fold. There are times we may forget to do some things and lose ourselves for just a moment. But Heavenly Father is always there to give us loving correction. Then there are even times when we, or our loved ones, choose to leave all we have in search for what seems like would bring us more happiness. At these times, Heavenly Father is watching and waiting for us to turn back to Him. The moment we turn back to Him and ask for His help, He will welcome us home with a warm, loving embrace. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest way Heavenly Father has shown us His love. The Atonement is what makes forgiveness possible. 

Week 8: "Beautiful Heartbreak"

While we were discussing the miracles Christ performed, we were asked, “Why does God allow us to suffer?” As I pondered this question, I was reminded that Heavenly Father does not allow our hearts to break because we have done something wrong or just because He wants to. He allows our hearts to break so we can experience the miracle of the Atonement. Yes, this life will have disappointments. We may lose a dear loved one, make mistakes that seem beyond repair, lose a cherished relationship. But these experiences only draw us closer to Christ if we let them. There is no pain, sorrow, disappointment or broken heart that cannot be repaired by the hands of Christ. It is through Christ our broken hearts become a “Beautiful Heartbreak.”

“Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through,

Was the price that I paid to see this view.

And now that I’m here, I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the faith that I find

Through the bitter-sweet tears and the sleepless nights.

I used to pray He’d take it all away.

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.”

Week 7: Recipe for Miracles

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

“And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

“And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” (Matthew 8:2-4)

                This story of the leper contains the simple recipe for miracles. He first came to Christ, worshipping Him. Then he was submissive by saying, “Lord if thou wilt…” And finally, He exercised great faith in Jesus Christ and His power. Miracles are just as real today as they were back then. Sometimes we feel like we aren’t being heard or things aren’t going our way. But Heavenly Father is just waiting for us to do our little part so He can work miracles in our lives. When we come worshipping by living the gospel, reading our scriptures, praying and keeping the commandments, we are doing our part. We become submissive, and trust in Heavenly Father’s will for our lives. And finally, we exercise faith. In other words, we act. We seek, knock and find. Miracles have and always will be a part of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Week 6: Process of Perfection

Matthew 5:48 reads, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” We are here to work towards perfection, to become like Heavenly Father. Sometimes that concept is a bit overwhelming for me. How will I ever reach perfection?

I have read the Sermon on the Mount and the beatitudes hundreds of times over the years. But today my perspective was changed as we discussed the sermon in class. The beatitudes is a process that allows us to repent, change and become perfected. It starts with being ‘poor in spirit’, recognizing we lack in areas. We then mourn, or have the desire to change and become better. We become meek, turning to our Savior who is the only one who can truly change our hearts. We then ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness.” In other words, we act! We don’t just sit and wait for God to answer us, but we seek and look for guidance. As we do, we become merciful. We see others through the eyes of God. We forgive. We let go. We move forward and don’t look back. We allow the power of the Atonement in our life. As we do, we become ‘pure in heart.’ Our desires become pure, clean. Our hearts truly change. Then we become peacemakers. We find peace through Christ and share that peace with others. And finally, we are ‘persecuted for rightesouness’ sake.’ This process is how we will reach perfection. And it is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Week 5: Worth of One Soul

This past week I was on my way to work, and I saw a man sitting on the corner of the road. He was holding a sign that said “Homeless and hungry. Please help.” As I sat at the stop light, I started thinking about how I had nothing to give him. I am only a poor college student with nothing to offer. Then I was reminded of a granola bar I had in my back pack. So I grabbed it, rolled down my window and gave it to the man. What I gave him was really nothing to me. It was a simple granola bar. I may never know the impact it had on him that day. And who knows? Maybe he just ate it and didn’t think much of it after. But I was reminded of a beautiful truth. “Remember the worth of souls is great in the eyes of God.” That man is a beloved son of God. Jesus Christ is His Savior just as He is mine. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love him just as much as they love me. I know that the value of one soul is great in the eyes of God. No matter who we are, where we are going or where we’ve been, we can always count on the eternal truth that God loves us.

Week 4: The Savior's Footsteps

What would it have been like to follow the Savior? What would it have been like to see Him heal the sick? Feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Perform the work of the Father? I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to walk with the Savior. As I sat pondering these questions, I realized that we are able to walk with the Savior every day. We may not be physically following Him as He walked the earth. But we are walking in His footsteps as we try to live as He would each day. When we hold the door for someone, talk to someone who is having a bad day, share the joyful message of the gospel, or simply share a smile, we are walking with the Savior. Jesus Christ extends an invitation to each of us. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Christ walked the earth so we would never have to walk alone. When we accept and act upon His invitation, He will always be by our side. And we indeed will be able to follow the Saviors footsteps.