Tomorrow is testimony day at church tomorrow, and I wanted to share mine with whoever might see it...
When you change the way you look at things,
The things you look at change.
From majestic mountains way up high,
To tiny sands of grain.
When worldly things are dragging you down,
Into the depths of despair,
When you've sunk past the point of no return,
And gasped your final breath of air.
When you think there is no more hope,
And you've lost your will to live,
Remember Jesus suffered for you,
And gave all there is to give.
So reach your hand up and grab the rod,
For He is quick to forgive.
Set your sights upon our God,
And adopt a celestial perspective.
When we live IN the world and FOR the world, the things of the world can become very large and very daunting...
The mountains of debt.
The chaos of our schedules.
The looming deadlines at work.
The responsibilities of our day-to-day.
They become giant elephants, that we somehow have to eat, every single day...
But this past year, I've learned that when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change...
When you stand on the ground at the base of a skyscraper and look up, the thought of climbing to the top and back down the other side feels insurmountable. But from on high, from the perspective of the Lord, that same skyscraper is nothing more than a grain of sand on the horizon.
Imagine sitting on the top of a mountain, overlooking the valley below. What used to overwhelm you is now small. When we think celestial, size and importance trade places. The giant obstacles become tiny, and the things that truly matter come into focus.
I know this because I've lived it. I spent many years in the valley, looking up, overwhelmed by mountains I didn't think I could climb, and chained to the addictions of the flesh that were slowly robbing me of my life. But by the sheer grace of God, and the pure love of our savior Jesus Christ, my perspective was lifted.
He brought me back. Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of the priesthood, and the support of my family and everyone in this church, I've been given a second chance.
From where I stand now, the things that once ruled my life look like grains of sand, and those things that were unseen (like the church), are now the largest things I can see!
I know that Jesus Christ lives, because He is the only reason I am standing before you today.
I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, because it reached me all the way down into the darkest valley of my existence.
I know the Book of Mormon is true because I've felt it change me, line upon line, chapter by chapter.
I know President Oaks is a living prophet. And I know that no matter how large our mountains feel, when we lift our eyes towards a celestial perspective, the Lord makes a way... even when that way seems insurmountable.
I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful for my Savior, and I'm grateful for each and every one of you sitting here today. I love you, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
@FiredUpCoug It's never okay to be dishonest.
If he's hiding the little stuff of no consequence, then he's likely to do the same for things that really matter...
I would be very concerned...
I was up until 1am this morning baking bread, and my alarm for work went off a mere 4 hours later. I undoubtedly was late for work, which set me off with a very poor demeanor...
My colleague could sense a disturbance in my force, and was brave enough to mention something. After an initial beratement of his observation, I took notice, removed my cap, and asked the Lord through a solemn prayer, to soften and calm my heart. After which, the rest of my day went very well!
He knows our struggles and wants to help... we just need to simply ask...
@jmbrim3 I'll be receiving the Melchizadek Priesthood in 9 days and then hope to get endowed shortly after that. Then I think I'll be ready to visit the Patriarch...