Choices. Life is full of them. There are so many instances where we find ourselves at a fork in the road trying to decide whether we should go this way or that way--and do you know what's great about that? The choice is entirely our own.
Of course our choices can affect those around us, but when we chose to follow the Savior, we chose agency--not only for ourselves, but for everyone.
This has been weighing on my mind a lot lately with the political climate rising, causing much discord among those of differing religious views.
But I'm not here to talk about politics.
Just choices. Only choices.
The fact that we even have the freedom to choose our own paths is such an amazing gift given from God Himself. He wants us to be happy and comfortable and the great thing about our loving Heavenly Father is just that--He loves us. No matter what. Nothing will separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). He loves all of His children, whether on the path I follow or on a different path.
The ultimate goal our Father in Heaven has for us is eternal life, not just immortality--to inherit everything He has. But I think it's easy to forget that He wants all of us to be happy in this life, too.
May I be frank?
Not everyone is happy in the Church.
It is so much easier said than done to hold on when there are serious doubts. We have to be understanding.
Some would consider themselves spiritual giants--that no matter what questions arise, there is absolutely no way their foundation could crumble. But that isn't the case for everyone.
How can we be more understanding?
Something I have learned over the years is that being supportive and loving of the decisions of another--even if you do not agree--is far more Christlike than shoving my beliefs down someone's throat.
So a friend of yours goes to Starbucks every day. So they get a coffee.
So a man loves a man. So he wants to be with him.
So an active member goes to see Beautiful Boy. So it's rated R.
So a loved one has major doubts about the gospel. So they want to forsake their membership.
So you don't agree.
Love. Anyway.
The Lord said He would forgive whom He would forgive, but we are commanded to forgive all men (D&C 64:10). If we truly feel someone is doing something against our religious principles, love anyway because that is the epitome of forgiveness.
We should never resent someone for the choices they make to walk a different path, and we should most certainly never push.
Imagine a physical altercation where someone pushes another person. The victim is forced further away from the other. Such it is with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we push--even if we feel it is out of love and concern--it only causes them to put more distance between themself and what we hold dear.
I remember when I was a teenager and my mom threw all of my short shorts away because she wanted me to dress modestly. That only pushed me over the edge where I would wear one thing to a friend's and then change into their clothes to go out. What my mom thought was helping only made it worse. In the next few years, my mom would learn the difference between invitation and force.
My mom would become as patient as she could while I tried to figure out who I wanted to be, what I wanted to believe, and how I wanted to live. Because she took a step back while still being a parent, I became less distant and even confided in her about my life, and even gained a testimony that would later send me to Idaho to serve a mission.
Despite my choices, she loved me anyway.
Our purpose as members of the Church, and missionaries if you will, is to "invite others to come unto Christ."
Invite, invite, invite.
When we talk about the gospel with another, let's not do it with the intention of guilting them into grabbing onto the rod. We must do it with the intention to increase their faith that will inevitably send them reaching for the gospel.
If there is someone you care about walking the path opposite yours, do them (and yourself) a favor:
Support and love them anyway.
Of course our choices can affect those around us, but when we chose to follow the Savior, we chose agency--not only for ourselves, but for everyone.
This has been weighing on my mind a lot lately with the political climate rising, causing much discord among those of differing religious views.
But I'm not here to talk about politics.
Just choices. Only choices.
The fact that we even have the freedom to choose our own paths is such an amazing gift given from God Himself. He wants us to be happy and comfortable and the great thing about our loving Heavenly Father is just that--He loves us. No matter what. Nothing will separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). He loves all of His children, whether on the path I follow or on a different path.
The ultimate goal our Father in Heaven has for us is eternal life, not just immortality--to inherit everything He has. But I think it's easy to forget that He wants all of us to be happy in this life, too.
May I be frank?
Not everyone is happy in the Church.
It is so much easier said than done to hold on when there are serious doubts. We have to be understanding.
Some would consider themselves spiritual giants--that no matter what questions arise, there is absolutely no way their foundation could crumble. But that isn't the case for everyone.
How can we be more understanding?
Something I have learned over the years is that being supportive and loving of the decisions of another--even if you do not agree--is far more Christlike than shoving my beliefs down someone's throat.
So a friend of yours goes to Starbucks every day. So they get a coffee.
So a man loves a man. So he wants to be with him.
So an active member goes to see Beautiful Boy. So it's rated R.
So a loved one has major doubts about the gospel. So they want to forsake their membership.
So you don't agree.
Love. Anyway.
The Lord said He would forgive whom He would forgive, but we are commanded to forgive all men (D&C 64:10). If we truly feel someone is doing something against our religious principles, love anyway because that is the epitome of forgiveness.
We should never resent someone for the choices they make to walk a different path, and we should most certainly never push.
Imagine a physical altercation where someone pushes another person. The victim is forced further away from the other. Such it is with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we push--even if we feel it is out of love and concern--it only causes them to put more distance between themself and what we hold dear.
I remember when I was a teenager and my mom threw all of my short shorts away because she wanted me to dress modestly. That only pushed me over the edge where I would wear one thing to a friend's and then change into their clothes to go out. What my mom thought was helping only made it worse. In the next few years, my mom would learn the difference between invitation and force.
My mom would become as patient as she could while I tried to figure out who I wanted to be, what I wanted to believe, and how I wanted to live. Because she took a step back while still being a parent, I became less distant and even confided in her about my life, and even gained a testimony that would later send me to Idaho to serve a mission.
Despite my choices, she loved me anyway.
Our purpose as members of the Church, and missionaries if you will, is to "invite others to come unto Christ."
Invite, invite, invite.
When we talk about the gospel with another, let's not do it with the intention of guilting them into grabbing onto the rod. We must do it with the intention to increase their faith that will inevitably send them reaching for the gospel.
If there is someone you care about walking the path opposite yours, do them (and yourself) a favor:
Support and love them anyway.
