"An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for. That is true for spiritual matters as well. You get what you pay for in obedience, in faith in Jesus Christ, in diligent application of the truths you learn." Elder Richard G. Scott said this in his talk, The Transforming Power of Faith and Character. Recently, I've been learning more completely how true this statement is. Especially when it comes to church meetings.
I felt like I had reached a new level in my progression. I had overcome some pretty big challenges in my life and I was doing good. Yet, after a while I felt really numb, like I wasn't feeling anything. It was almost as if I had taken this huge step forward and then somehow, on some level, gone back a few more steps to a place I thought I had already moved past. I don't think that is the case though. I think that when we look at our progression, a lot of times it feels like, we move forward and then go back. Then we move forward and then go back again, and we feel like we keep going through the same things over again. I was talking to a friend about this and I very much agree with what she said, but she explained it to me as, instead of going forward and back, it's more, we grow and progress and then we can see more. We move up a bit as we grow and progress, and then we can see more. And in that moment when we see more, it can seem like we've reverted back and to feel like we have so far to go. But that is not the case and if you can look back and see how far you've come, that is something you will be able to see as well.
So that's where I was at. In a place where I felt like I had a much longer way to go than I thought/would have liked to believe. I started to struggle with church and feeling like I wasn't getting it the way I wanted to. I was just simply going through the motions but I wasn't getting anything out of it. Then, in one of our lessons a few weeks back someone mentioned this concept, that you get out what you put in. I was reminded of Elder Scott's comment on this and so I decided to put it to the test. I am going to testify right now, that it works. This test is not for the weak of heart and if your emotions are close to the surface, do not try this at home. Or church.
I decided last Sunday that I was going to put in the effort with church. I was going to try to mentally prepare myself for the Sabbath day and when the time for our meetings rolled around, I would have the Spirit with me. I feel like I could have done a much better job than I did but I think "even if you can no more than desire to believe" you will be blessed for your efforts. The smallest of efforts are rewarded. I went into my church meeting with the attitude of wanting the Spirit with me and being able to understand the messages and taking away what I would need at this time in my life. I honestly wasn't expecting what happened to me but, while all the meetings were great, during Relief Society in particular almost every emotion came bursting out of me all at once. I could not contain my tears because I felt God's love for me in a way I hadn't in a long time and in a way I'm not sure I had before. It was so beautiful to finally be able to feel that. To be able to feel anything with the gospel when I hadn't been for several weeks. I since have been able to see things so differently and have been able to better understand the things I need in my life.
This gospel is beautiful and true. It does not cease to amaze me how perfect God's love is for us. He knows me so well, He knows what I need and He knows how and most importantly, when to answer my prayers. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to feel His love for me and to see that manifested in my daily life. If that is not something you can see right now, then start looking. I guarantee that if you are looking for the tender mercies of the Lord or looking for your blessings, you will see them.
I felt like I had reached a new level in my progression. I had overcome some pretty big challenges in my life and I was doing good. Yet, after a while I felt really numb, like I wasn't feeling anything. It was almost as if I had taken this huge step forward and then somehow, on some level, gone back a few more steps to a place I thought I had already moved past. I don't think that is the case though. I think that when we look at our progression, a lot of times it feels like, we move forward and then go back. Then we move forward and then go back again, and we feel like we keep going through the same things over again. I was talking to a friend about this and I very much agree with what she said, but she explained it to me as, instead of going forward and back, it's more, we grow and progress and then we can see more. We move up a bit as we grow and progress, and then we can see more. And in that moment when we see more, it can seem like we've reverted back and to feel like we have so far to go. But that is not the case and if you can look back and see how far you've come, that is something you will be able to see as well.
So that's where I was at. In a place where I felt like I had a much longer way to go than I thought/would have liked to believe. I started to struggle with church and feeling like I wasn't getting it the way I wanted to. I was just simply going through the motions but I wasn't getting anything out of it. Then, in one of our lessons a few weeks back someone mentioned this concept, that you get out what you put in. I was reminded of Elder Scott's comment on this and so I decided to put it to the test. I am going to testify right now, that it works. This test is not for the weak of heart and if your emotions are close to the surface, do not try this at home. Or church.
I decided last Sunday that I was going to put in the effort with church. I was going to try to mentally prepare myself for the Sabbath day and when the time for our meetings rolled around, I would have the Spirit with me. I feel like I could have done a much better job than I did but I think "even if you can no more than desire to believe" you will be blessed for your efforts. The smallest of efforts are rewarded. I went into my church meeting with the attitude of wanting the Spirit with me and being able to understand the messages and taking away what I would need at this time in my life. I honestly wasn't expecting what happened to me but, while all the meetings were great, during Relief Society in particular almost every emotion came bursting out of me all at once. I could not contain my tears because I felt God's love for me in a way I hadn't in a long time and in a way I'm not sure I had before. It was so beautiful to finally be able to feel that. To be able to feel anything with the gospel when I hadn't been for several weeks. I since have been able to see things so differently and have been able to better understand the things I need in my life.
This gospel is beautiful and true. It does not cease to amaze me how perfect God's love is for us. He knows me so well, He knows what I need and He knows how and most importantly, when to answer my prayers. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to feel His love for me and to see that manifested in my daily life. If that is not something you can see right now, then start looking. I guarantee that if you are looking for the tender mercies of the Lord or looking for your blessings, you will see them.
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