We learn from the scriptures that Jesus stands "with open arms to receive [us]" (Mormon 6:17). For me that has been easy to believe as it relates to other people (i.e., he stands with open arms to receive them), but harder to truly believe as it relates to me.
I am often weighed down by my own shortcomings, and my consistent failure to do everything I know I should do, 100% of the time. I know this is not a unique indictment and essentially applies to all of us, but sometimes, my great weakness gets to me.
I felt that way during a recent visit to the San Diego Temple. As I participated in an endowment session, surrounded by fellow church members, all dressed in white, I began to feel a bit out of place, as a flood of my personal failings and weaknesses came to mind. I thought, "I am grumpy when I should be pleasant. I am selfish and self-centered, when I should be selfless. When I serve, I often do so with a desire for notoriety and recognition. I am insincere when I should be sincere. I am doubtful when I should be full of faith..." I felt overwhelmed by all the good things that others are, and that the Lord is, but that I am not.
Then, these words from The Book of Mormon came to my mind: "see that I have commanded that none of you should go away..." (3 Nephi 18:25). I hadn't read this scripture for a long time, but the Holy Ghost brought it to my remembrance word for word, and I honestly felt in that moment that I had heard the voice of the Lord, in the sense that I had received a message from Him that was tailored for me in my moment of need. I began to sense His great love for me; that even with my all great weaknesses, he doesn't want me to go away. Instead he says "come unto me, that ye might feel and see." (3 Nephi 18:25). He wants me to keep showing up, to keep begging for mercy, and to let Him use His atoning power to transform my weakness into strength (Ether 12:27)
The scriptures are full of Jesus' invitations to "come unto me", and I always knew He meant it in a general sense, but now I see that the envelope has my name on it: " Josh, come unto me!"
I am often weighed down by my own shortcomings, and my consistent failure to do everything I know I should do, 100% of the time. I know this is not a unique indictment and essentially applies to all of us, but sometimes, my great weakness gets to me.
I felt that way during a recent visit to the San Diego Temple. As I participated in an endowment session, surrounded by fellow church members, all dressed in white, I began to feel a bit out of place, as a flood of my personal failings and weaknesses came to mind. I thought, "I am grumpy when I should be pleasant. I am selfish and self-centered, when I should be selfless. When I serve, I often do so with a desire for notoriety and recognition. I am insincere when I should be sincere. I am doubtful when I should be full of faith..." I felt overwhelmed by all the good things that others are, and that the Lord is, but that I am not.
Then, these words from The Book of Mormon came to my mind: "see that I have commanded that none of you should go away..." (3 Nephi 18:25). I hadn't read this scripture for a long time, but the Holy Ghost brought it to my remembrance word for word, and I honestly felt in that moment that I had heard the voice of the Lord, in the sense that I had received a message from Him that was tailored for me in my moment of need. I began to sense His great love for me; that even with my all great weaknesses, he doesn't want me to go away. Instead he says "come unto me, that ye might feel and see." (3 Nephi 18:25). He wants me to keep showing up, to keep begging for mercy, and to let Him use His atoning power to transform my weakness into strength (Ether 12:27)
The scriptures are full of Jesus' invitations to "come unto me", and I always knew He meant it in a general sense, but now I see that the envelope has my name on it: " Josh, come unto me!"
Good, now don't forget it. :)
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