Everywhere
I was so blessed today in so many ways. A true lesson was taught today in Sacrament Meeting, by a very good friend. Later, as I was teaching the Deacons, (12-13 year old young men) I pointed out that what we are taught in class is usually redundant. It is through repetition that we learn. My example in class was the Plan of Salvation, God's Eternal Plan for us from before we were born. The basics are always the same, but our understanding is different, since we are at different places in our lives each time we hear the lesson, read God's Holy Word, or in private communion with our Father.
So the lesson that impacted me? Seeing the Hand of the Lord in our lives. For those who believe, it can be as simple as seeing the sun rise on a new day. Sometimes we are so caught up with so many things in our lives that we are beaten down by them. We don't look up to see the blessings that we have received.
Sometimes we feel we need to have some great manifestation or miracle to confirm our faith. I was once taught by a very wise seminary teacher that for us to receive a heavenly visitation, we probably fall into one of two camps. Either we are in a very good place, and God has a specific mission for us, or, we are on a course that needs to be corrected so that we are not found standing against God, or trying to subvert His will. (think Saul of Tarsus)
I don't want to be the one to receive that visitation, because it would probably be the course correction.
I was reminded that sometimes, especially when we are troubled, that if we open our eyes, we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives. As I stated, it can be as simple as a new day beginning. This seems very mundane, but remember that for many, there is no new day, or that the new day brings no happiness. That hand can also manifest in very individualist ways. Make no mistake that God knows you. He knows you whether or not you know Him, and even though He allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust, He truly does bless those that follow Him, and are faithful and obedient.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a gift to all mankind. "As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22) However it is also an individual gift to each of us. Christ suffered for every sin, every pain, all suffering, so that our yokes are easy, and our burden lightened. Also, that through our faith, we can stand spotless in the last day, through the grace of our Savior.
When we endure trials, it can be very difficult to see the Hand of the Lord, but if we look, we will see it. And when we see it, we should acknowledge it. If we cast our eyes skyward (figuratively, or otherwise) we will see.
His hand is everywhere. All we have to do is look with an eye of faith.
So the lesson that impacted me? Seeing the Hand of the Lord in our lives. For those who believe, it can be as simple as seeing the sun rise on a new day. Sometimes we are so caught up with so many things in our lives that we are beaten down by them. We don't look up to see the blessings that we have received.
Sometimes we feel we need to have some great manifestation or miracle to confirm our faith. I was once taught by a very wise seminary teacher that for us to receive a heavenly visitation, we probably fall into one of two camps. Either we are in a very good place, and God has a specific mission for us, or, we are on a course that needs to be corrected so that we are not found standing against God, or trying to subvert His will. (think Saul of Tarsus)
I don't want to be the one to receive that visitation, because it would probably be the course correction.
I was reminded that sometimes, especially when we are troubled, that if we open our eyes, we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives. As I stated, it can be as simple as a new day beginning. This seems very mundane, but remember that for many, there is no new day, or that the new day brings no happiness. That hand can also manifest in very individualist ways. Make no mistake that God knows you. He knows you whether or not you know Him, and even though He allows the rain to fall on the just and unjust, He truly does bless those that follow Him, and are faithful and obedient.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a gift to all mankind. "As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22) However it is also an individual gift to each of us. Christ suffered for every sin, every pain, all suffering, so that our yokes are easy, and our burden lightened. Also, that through our faith, we can stand spotless in the last day, through the grace of our Savior.
When we endure trials, it can be very difficult to see the Hand of the Lord, but if we look, we will see it. And when we see it, we should acknowledge it. If we cast our eyes skyward (figuratively, or otherwise) we will see.
His hand is everywhere. All we have to do is look with an eye of faith.
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