I am the kind of guy who enjoys to ramble (You'll hopefully notice that the word 'ramble' is cleverly hidden in the web address of this here blog). Get me started on a subject I love to talk about, and I'll ramble for hours. A prime example of that: Alarm clocks. They're very useful, but sometimes they can be messengers of doom. Do you know what I mean? Maybe I didn't explain that very well; let me try again :)
Alarm clocks are meant to wake us up from slumber and compel us forward to embrace and live out a new day. When we're used to their call, alarm clocks are a part of our daily agenda, and they have the highest priority in making sure we get up on time. When we're not used to their beeping/buzzing, they can become rather annoying.
I believe that God works in the 'alarm clock' business, but not the kind that I've been speaking of. He is more of a spiritual alarm clock maker, and has provided so many wonderful things - tender mercies, blessings, trials, challenges, friends, family, and His holy scriptures - to wake us up from the spiritual slumbers of our day. I would like to share with you a principle that has acted as a spiritual alarm clock for me, and I hope that you too will be able to put its teachings into good use.
In 3 Nephi 11:14, we read:
"Arise, and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."
For those unfamiliar with the context of this scripture, I shall briefly summarize: The Savior of the world, even Jesus Christ, visited the Americas a little under a year following the Crucifixion and His forty days with the apostles. As He stood in the midst of the people, He spoke the above words.
Notice that He did not say: "Arise, and come forth unto Me...except for you - you look pretty weird, you stay away." Nor did He say: "Arise, and come forth unto Me...well, by you I mean only that section over there; the rest of y'all can just watch and learn."
He did not provide any barriers that kept the people from approaching His glorified and celestial body; He invited all to come unto Him. And we find out that they did in the verse immediately after this:
"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth..." (3 Nephi 11:15).
Christ's love for these people was unconditional and all-encompassing; He loved them, despite their past sins and wrongs; despite their frailties and weaknesses; despite their physical, emotional, mental, psychological, and spiritual irregularities and faults. He barred none from coming unto Him and feeling the 'prints of the nails in [His] hands and in [His] feet'.
He loved them all.
And here is the alarm clock that I was discussing earlier, the alarm clock that rings with truth and power: If we are meant to follow this divine example, and if said Divinity loved all and exempted none from that love, then what are we commanded to do?
Are we not commanded to love?
I believe we are. There are various scriptures that support this truth. I will quote just a few before I continue my own commentary:
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him" (D&C 18:10-11; emphasis added).
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray fro them which despitefully use you, and persecute you...
"For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?" (KJV Matthew 5:43-44, 46).
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (KJV John 3:14-16).
I speak to all now: Be you of the LDS (Mormon) faith, or of the Baptist or Methodist or Lutheran or Catholic persuasion, or if you aren't Christian, but Jew or Muslim or Hindu. Whether or not you believe in the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His charge to LOVE still stands; it is a charge that is surely held within every religion that is of good report and praiseworthy in this world.
To LOVE, my friends! This capability seems so far away, particularly in the dark and grim and cruel world that we now live in...but it is inherently within each and every one of us. And think of what would happen if each of us strengthened our resolve and fortified our hearts in such a way that we would take this challenge from Christ's holy words and go forth and LOVE all of God's children! This world would be changed for good.
My younger brother is no longer in this mortal state; when he passed from this existence he likely felt lost and without this love of which I speak. He died, thinking that there was not a person on this earth that truly loved him.
How many more must die, my friends? How many more beautiful, wonderful, amazing, and truly loved children of God must pass from this weary world before we will finally realize and begin living the divine charges laid before us? How many more must leave us before we will recognize our need not only to feel loved, but TO LOVE?
No more, my beloved friends, no more.
Let US be the ones who make the stand against all of the hate and violence and sorrow that this world has, and let US be the ones who reveal all of the goodness and glory that this world is truly made of.
My brother was truly loved; ask any of his friends and especially ask any of us, his family, and we would all wholeheartedly testify of this truth. But he was unable to see it. I lay part of this sad fact upon my own shoulders; if I could but turn the pages of time backwards I would, and I would hold my brother tightly and tell him how much I love him.
But I cannot.
Or perhaps I can, but not in that same sort of way.
And perhaps you can as well.
There are people out there who need the light of love, my dear friends. There are people out there who are hurting and tired and sad and gloomy. There are people out there who build up walls around their aching hearts. There are people out there who need to feel loved.
And we, with the knowledge we have and the potential of love that blossoms in our breasts, are the ones who need to go forth and bring them that light.
As a Christian, I know that the charge to love is prevalent throughout all sects and faiths who profess the title of Christianity. From what I have studied and learned about the faiths of Islam and Judaism, Hindu and Buddha, this same charge to love exists within their belief systems as well. With that said, I find it no coincidence that one of the binding threads that is the same in all religious views throughout this world is one to LOVE.
We know what we must do; but sometimes it is not that easy to love.
I distinctly remember a time when I was given a calling in Church that required me to serve and lead others. I was nervous to accept it, because I could feel my own selfish tendings and inclinations bubbling within me, threatening to obscure the desires of others in favor of my own vain ambitions.
That night I knelt down and prayed fervently to my Heavenly Father for the gift of CHARITY - that pure love of Christ that He showed when He healed the lepers and ate with publicans - the ability to love others without taking thought for self. I must admit, that love for others did not come that night, nor the next day, nor did it come that week. It took time, but come it did, and I was able to serve others and care about others with a passion that I never knew I could possess.
I am not singular in receiving this gift; you too may possess it, and I hope that you will be willing to pray for it so that we all may be able to go forth and LOVE. There is too much darkness and too little time left in this world, my friends.
Let us ARISE and LOVE; let us see to it that another soul does not perish from this earth! Let us break the bars of hatred that sunder nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples! Let us forge anew the rings of brotherhood and fellowship! Let us recognize that those who sit beside us, walk around us, and who merge before us on the freeway are all children of God! Let us realize this truth, and let us act! Do not let today pass without expressing love for another, without serving someone else, without sharing the love that exists in your hearts with another soul.
This spiritual alarm clock has greatly benefited my life, and though I am not perfect in being a friend to others at all times, I strive to do my best to be such a light to those around me. May I reiterate: I am not the perfect example of loving others! Christ is, though, and we have access to His precious words in our scriptures, ancient and modern. His call to 'Arise' is clear, and His example of love is evident.
Arise, my friends, and LOVE.
Let us share the light we have, and let us change the world together - let us herald in a new day of peace and friendship. Let us love.
May God be with you till we meet again, my beloved friends.
Sam
No comments:
Post a Comment