Changing direction

For quite some time now, I have been feeling prompted to take advantage of so called “social networking” to share and record my testimony as I study various gospel principles. And, for quite some time, I’ve been dragging my feet, unsure of how to do it and what to say, among other “I don’t have time” excuses. Well, today is the day. From now on, my blog will be devoted to the gospel and what He wants me to use it for (I know my kids are cute, but you can see them on Facebook). The Lord has been patient with me and I also know He will give me guidance. I don’t even come close to knowing everything, so please comment, share, ask questions and join me on this journey.

It’s been tough to decide what my first topic will be. I’ve been studying grace and patience a lot lately (I’m guessing I’m not the only mom in need of those), but I want to take on a broader subject first, a saying really: to be in the world and not of the world. It’s a phrase I’m familiar with, but I actually didn’t know exactly where it came from…embarrassing, right? Nah, I’m not perfect and I learn something new every day. In John 17: 14-15 as Christ gives the intercessory prayer, He prays for His apostles and the saints: “…and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I know what it’s like for my beliefs to be hated as I’m sure others of different religions may have felt too. I don’t think I, as a person have been hated, but my faith has definitely been hated. I can see how it could be easy to fall away and become “of the world.” Society as a whole doesn’t look on faith, charity and godliness as good traits, let alone prayer or accountability to God (among a loooong list of other qualities). We have to be in this world, we were sent here to learn, grow and be found worthy, but we do not have to be of the world. The question is, how do we do this? My answer is that we absolutely cannot do it without our Savior Jesus Christ. Every single day, I need to get on my knees and ask for His help. I’ll admit there are times I’m not good about this and boy do I notice a difference. When I ask for the Lord to help me, life is still difficult at times, but the burden is lighter. I recently heard this phrase, “Right choices, lead to more right choices.” It is never too late to make a good choice, just one good choice can lead to many more. When I am doing what’s right, I feel the Spirit swell in my heart reminding me who I am, why I'm here and where I am going and it really does get easier to be in the world and not of the world.

Scripture references:

John 17:14-17

John 1:10