2 Nephi 28:27-30 - Perhaps I never tied these verses together or I thought that only BookofMormon-hatin'-persecutors would ever say something like "We've had enough of your word, Lord! We don't need no more!" I mean, who says that?! But, how many times have I been reading in the scriptures or listening to a lesson/talk in church and thought, "Ugh! Again?! I just read this!" or "We just had this lesson last week!" or "Why should I pray about this morning and night, every day? The Lord already knows!" Guilty!
There is a reason we're asked to read and reread the scriptures. There is a reason that the "Gospel Principles" manual is what we study in RS. The Lord tells us to pray continually for a reason (*isn't there a scripture about how we should weary the Lord with our prayers? It's going to drive me crazy until I find it). The principles of the gospel don't change, but we, as individuals, do! We have to assimilate certain things before we are able to move on. Some days we need one thing, some days we need another. It's like how each time you read the scriptures you learn something new.
And, like you've mentioned before, the key to progression is consistency. We have to read/pray/ponder daily in order for the Lord to give us more.
2 Nephi 25:23 - "it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" Oh! How I am grateful for Christ's grace!
Ever since you wrote about progression and chastisement I've been thinking about my own personal progression. Where do I stand today in comparison to where I've been in the past.
I know I'm not as spiritual or as strong today as I was as a missionary, for example. It's not something that I'm proud of but at the same time I'm not ashamed of it either. The reason is because of the grace of the Lord.
The past few years have presented me with some pretty rough trials, things that have worn me down, in all honesty. Maybe things wouldn't have been so hard had I been faithful in my prayers & study of the scriptures. I wasn't and that is something for which I am trying to repent.
The beauty of it all, though, is that Jesus Christ is merciful. And it's ok that I'm not as good today as I was 10 years ago. Today I am doing my best and my best today isn't what my best was 10 years ago. Today, my best is meager. But it is my best. And for the time being, Christ will fill in the gaps until I arrive at a time when I am stronger and more able to live a more spiritual, Christ-like life.
I know, I KNOW!, that Christ is merciful with us through our trials... well, throughout our entire life! Isn't life just one big trial, anyway?
I was thinking about you and all that is on your plate right now. All good things. All worthy pursuits. And I believe the Lord sees your efforts and is proud of you and grateful that you are giving Him what you are able to. And His job, which he does willingly, is to make up for what we can't do. And together we are enough!
With Christ we are enough!
First of all, the link to the online scriptures is genius. Thank you for feeding my laziness.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow. I've never thought of those verses that way and I am guilty of it as well!!!!!! Faith talks, they always get me. Again??? And constant meetings. (Okay, I like meetings, but even I have a limit.) So often I accept a little of God's teaching and love and then step away and say no more. Like anytime I stop reading my scriptures. Or would rather pick up a novel after 5 verses. So guilty.
And yes, thank goodness for God's grace. The hymn rings true, oh how wonderful it is and amazing grace. I'm amazed that He continually forgives me and fills in the gaps of my very stringy life. I love how we are both able to, even those this is a global principle, applied to every single child of God, able to see that it is for US, me, you, individually. He cares about US. (Not the U.S., the plural.) He takes the time to fill in for my 3 more verses that I leave unread in the mornings. Love this.
So glad you're on board, Cropstar!