I have never been one to blog, nor did I ever think I would create one. Posting personal information, thoughts, and opinions has always seemed quite vulnerable and scary to me. We live in a world where many hide behind their computer screens, gladly criticizing the life and views of those around them, remaining unknown.
Writing a blog pertaining to my religious beliefs and the role that it plays in my life was an even scarier thought. Not because I was afraid to share my beliefs, but because I felt I could never portray the things I believe and know to be true into words. I still feel that way right now, but a religion course I am taking has inspired me to conquer my fear, accept my weaknesses, and write about what I love most: The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is all encompassing. It can literally be tied to every aspect of our lives, and I have been learning that it should be. It's purpose is not to make us focus on the shame, guilt, and imperfectness of being human. We are not meant to be miserable creatures. Rather, the message of Christ's gospel is one of hope, forgiveness, redemption, and being made whole.
How we obtain those marvelous blessings of the gospel is something far too big for me to cover in one post. It is something I am still learning much about, and something I try to better every single day. So, how is it that we access the healing power of His Atonement? How do we experience true joy? How can we be made whole? The answer is simple, yet through our human weaknesses we make it complex. The answer is obedience. Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Obedience to the commandments the Lord has given to us. Obedience to the will of the Father.
For my religion class we are studying the second half of the New Testament, covering Acts through Revelation. My hope in writing this blog is to share some of the insights I receive pertaining to obedience to the Gospel each week. The thoughts may be simple, but my hope is to invite the Spirit so that He may touch your hearts just as He has touched mine.
With all of that said, I will keep this introductory posts insight brief:
This week while studying in the book of Acts, I had the opportunity to read of the apostle Paul's conversion. Once known as Saul, he persecuted the Church heavily. While on the road to Damascus Christ appeared to Saul and asked him "why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9:4). In conversing with the Lord Saul asked what the Lord would have him do. In reply, Christ told him to "arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6).
By going into the city as Christ commanded, Saul followed a specific commandment given unto him. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Saul had not listened. What if he had not entered the city? What if he was not obedient unto the Lord? I may not have the answers, but what I do know is that I am grateful for the obedience of Saul in that moment.
Saul went on to be baptized, and became Paul, an apostle of the Lord. He preached the gospel to everyone he could, even when it meant risking his own life. He went on to write much of what is found in the New Testament of the Bible. He was imprisoned on many occasions, beaten, rejected, and ultimately martyred. His life was not easy, yet as I read his writings, the happiness and joy in which he felt is very apparent to me. But why? How is it that he found joy, even in the hardest of times? It all falls back on what got him there in the first place: obedience to the Lord. Paul was obedient, and strived to remain obedient. He knew the Lord, His Gospel, and had confidence in Heavenly Father's eternal plan.
Now, I can't help but ask myself one final question. I pray that you ask yourself the same question and reflect on it often, as I hope to do. In commanding Saul to enter into a city, the Lord commanded him to leave behind his old ways, to be made new. In doing so he became Paul, the disciple Christ knew he could be. The Lord knew of Paul's great potential, just as He knows of ours. If I want to become who the Lord knows I can be, if I want to obtain a fullness of joy, am I willing to do the same? Am I willing to "arise, and go into the city"?
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