"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors....for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." (Alma 34:32-34).
We know that we must prepare, we know we must repent. We understand that this life is a time to work and labour in the Lord's vineyard. Another scripture which describes this life is found in Lehi's great vision....
"And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wondered off and were lost." (1 Nephi 8:23)
We learn that there will be darkness and temptations along the path back to "the tree of life," the path to our Heavenly home. We understand that there will be sorrow and grief as we watch some of our family and our friends wonder off and get lost.
One final scriptural support for this concept. When cast out of the garden the Lord said to Eve,"...I, the Lord God said: I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children..," and to Adam, "cursed shall be the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life." (Moses 4:22-25).
Now the paradox. In 2 Nephi 2:25 we learn, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
What? There are so many scriptural examples and so much support that this life will be packed full of trials and tests, not to mention the fact that each of us in our own ways have hundreds of personal stories to back these examples. And yet, we learn that there is another purpose of this life, perhaps just as important as the learning and growth that comes from the tests and trials; we are to have joy.
I think that sometimes it is easy to get caught up on all the challenges we are having. I know that often times I throw personal pity parties. Sure, we may be tight on money. We may be having problems in our work. We may be struggling with a friend or a family member. We may even be facing something more serious, like the death of someone close to us, or watching a child stray from the "strait and narrow." I am not suggesting that these things are not important, that there isn't sorrow associated with them, or that there isn't a lesson that needs to be learned. But, I do suggest that the Lord gives us these challenges for our good, and that going through them helps us to appreciate more the joy in life.
Today I had the opportunity to visit a member of our ward who lost her husband in a car accident last night. As I saw the sorrow and tears on her face, it helped put this lesson in perspective for me:
This life is a time to prepare to meet God, but I need to take more time along the way to recognize and find joy. I am so blessed. I get to wake up every morning to a giant smile from my beautiful baby girl. I get to kiss my amazing supportive wife every day as I walk out the door for work. I have an amazing family. I have the gospel and a testimony of Jesus Christ, and so much more. I also believe that finding joy in this difficult and sometimes sorrowful life comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is only through the Savior and His atonement that we can truly find perspective and joy amidst trials and tests. I am grateful for this lesson.
Finally, I would challenge each of you to take a minute to remember those things in your life that bring you joy! I am confident that it is those things, along with a loving Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ that will carry you through the not so joyful times. I love you all!
5 comments:
That is a great lesson for me, especially in January, when I tend to feel like the winter is bleak and endless. I will try to find joy, even in the midst of the snow and cold! I am grateful for a warm house, a car to travel in when I need to go out, and most of all, for the loving family I have been blessed with and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives me meaning and purpose in my life.
I appreciate your perspective and your challenge. I need to count my many blessings, and it will probably surprise me what the Lord has done.
A great example to put things into perspective. I am sometimes puzzled as to why it takes something so tragic to realize how perfect things were before. I can look at my life right now and see how perfect it really is and how blessed I am in every aspect I ever could have dreamed of. I will make it my goal this week to count my blessings and so I can experience the joy that has been given me.
I always remeber a talk given in church one sunday when im feeling down or something is trying on my eternal perspective. I cant remeber exacly what the talk was on but i do remember specifically when he said (or something close) "We should be the HAPPIEST people on this earth! We have the full knowlege of the Gospel! We know whats to come and what we are working so hard for. We are part of the truest thing on this earth, we should never have a reason to be down on our life." That talk has stuck with me for many years, and what a truth to live by.
Thanks Jeff. I needed to hear that.
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