All of the speakers did a excellent job, but The talk that really hit home with me had a different approach about it. Instead of making a big list of things we could be doing to be like Christ, He spoke more about how he knew him personally. His description was similar to the one I carry in my own heart. This is kind of broad topic and it can go off on many tangents so I'll do the best of my ability Ill try to pull it all together. Okay so here weeeee go.
I think that's the first real step in living how God would is to recognize who he is. Some people don't feel comfortable to talk to acknowledge intelligent design or their creator, not becuase their not good people but, the gospel or Christianity really can be very complex to understand and very discouraging at times. (For all church goers alike..) We as a LDS members have a lot of rules (also known as commandments) that sometimes are really hard to follow. They aren't easy, and they certainly aren't popular. That's the whole point though. We are asked to obey and in turn we become better people for our sacrafice. If we do it with the right spirit. The spirit Christ would want us to have.
It's easy to question, loose faith, or even complain about some request that are asked of us. I know I certainly am guilty of this. I sometimes I forget the meaning or the purpose behind the things I do. Especially amongst the hustle and bustle of the holidays. For example: one might think "I've got TOO much to do, I really can't go visit and teach today." That I loose sight of WHY I actually I want to help or serve someone. Elder Uchdoft mentioned that in his talk FORGET ME NOT. (remember the "whys" of the gospel) And once what could have been a opportunity to share charity towards my wonderful neighbours, may now become a relentless chore.
Though trying to choose the right, and do good things shouldn't be so hard right? Then why is it? The speaker gave a really good example of the Gospel. He compared it to loosing weight. In THEORY, loosing weight is very simple. It is! You consume LESS calories than you burn and no matter how you dial it, You're gonna loose weight. Though even though this little gem of truth is made known to most people across the planet, how many books, and trends, and people have shared other forms of insight on how to shed the pounds? There is the adkins diet, the hcg diet, the juice cleanse, weight watchers, and I could go on and on and on. While all of those diets probably do work, it can get a little overwhelming right? Of course it can, but that's not how it's suppose to work and any dietitian will agree. If your going to loose weight successfully, You've got to take baby steps, and that's how the Lord and his church works as well.
In 2 Nephi 28:30 it reads "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon aprecept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn bwisdom; for unto him that creceiveth I will give dmore; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. "
Rome wasn't built in a day. God knows that. He wants us to stop and smell the roses. He wants us to take our time, and let the lessons we learn really stick.
A few years ago, I finished reading the book of Mormon. I have read the BOM many times in my life, but never on my own. Finally, when I got married and I started thinking about raising a family I had a strong desire to read the BOM all the way through for myself. I knew that if I was going to be a mother that I needed to be able to speak honestly to my children. I want them to know that I read it, and that I knew it was true. I found out quickly that a chapter a day was too hard for me to to do. I'd read a chapter and before a week or even a few days had already passed, Id soon give up. After several months of trying, and failing, I made a new goal. I decided that 2 columns a day was doable, and after a few months.. and even more months of persistent study I finally completed my goal.
I am not perfect, there are many things that I fall short on. I blogged about some of my struggles being in Young Womens HERE. I was very intimidated and I felt somewhat judged at times. (Mostly by myself,) Though it was a great experience for me to learn and grow, and understand what God asks of me.
Jesus Christ, the church, and religion does not intend to induce fear or make one feel bad about themselves.(Though that's Satans Plan.) It's meant to help people progress, and the sure fire way to progress is to get to know our Lord and become closer to him.
In Matthew 11:28-30 It reads
29 Take my ayoke upon you, and blearn of me; for I am cmeek and dlowly in eheart: and ye shall find frest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is aeasy, and my burden is light."When we think about having a Christ centered life or being like Christ, we often think of perfection, though that's not word I would use to describe it. He is in fact perfect, but being perfect requires a lot of time, practice, and patience. So much of it, that we won't achieve it in this lifetime. No, when I think of my creator and how I can improve my life I think of quote President Hinkley once said and that's to "Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better".
So basically what it comes down to is remembering why we serve and give, but also remembering we can only give and serve as much as we are capable of doing. We must be the very best that *we* personally can be, but that can vary from one to another.
I have new insight on God our Father. Just because I am not spotless, does not mean I am doomed or going to H E double hockey sticks. He does not look at me, the way I might look at myself. He doesn't see the things that I am not doing, He see's me for what I AM and the he's always there to help me.He doesn't push me farther then I can go, nor should he. Instead he walks patiently beside me assisting me when I merely ask. He only shows LOVE towards me, which has helped me develop a strong trusting relationship with him and has taught me that how I need to react. To show mercy and especially not to pass judgement.
Having a stress free Christmas doesn't have include much. In fact it doesn't. It's the simple things that matter most. To put the Christ back in Christmas. When we do that, it puts things into perspective. His love resonates with us, and we don't feel that anxiety or obligation anymore. We do things for the RIGHT reasons, and because we want to, not because we feel we have to.
There truly is beauty and happiness in simplicity.
No comments:
Post a Comment