Come, Follow Me

In the meridian of time, Jesus the Christ was born to Mary and Joseph.  He grew up and prepared for his ministry.  In preparation, he needed disciples, people to support him.  To the fishermen, the lawyer, the lowly tax man and others he said, "Come, follow me."  He was inviting them to walk with him, learn from him, and serve with him.  He promised that he would make them "fishers of men"; meaning with them he would 'catch' more people that would learn from him and follow his example.  He left a legacy in their lives that lead to Peter's outstanding missions.  His invitation led Saul to become Paul and serve impressing, successful missions.  Their lives changed because they accepted the invitation.

Jesus Christ taught people numerous lessons.  At the time, some didn't understand the intended moral because he taught in parables, or metaphors.  He fed thousands with small portions of food.  His teachings did and continue to feed countless people's souls.  During his three year ministry, he taught.  He performed miracles.  He lead.  He loved.  He sacrificed.  His example is unparalleled and unforgettable.  To each that heard his voice, saw his power, or felt his love, his message was the same as to the apostles:  "Come, follow me." 

As a missionary, I had 12 total companions in the 2 years.  I worked with a specific Japanese missionary for 3 months.  In a meeting with a member, he said something that impressed me.  He talked about all the things I have mentioned above.  He spoke of the glorious miracles and message of Christ.  He reiterated Christ message to follow him.  Then he asked, "If you heard Christ teachings, saw his miracles, and were in his presence, would you follow him?"  I thought this was a very intriguing question.  Would I?  Would you?  We all think to ourselves, "Well, the miracles were simply unquestionable!  Of course I would follow!"  And yet, somehow we forget about all those who did not.  The Pharisees and Sadducees and whole cities that rejected him?  We cannot for sure say who we would have been 2000 years ago.  It's always said that one of the most damaging questions to our future and present is "What if?".  I used to wonder what my life would have been like if I would have practiced violin more.  What if I had studied more in high school?  What if I had taken an intercollegiate water polo offer?  What if I didn't wear this shirt today?  I used to entertain this exchange when I wasn't satisfied with myself or my life.  I blamed it on myself and the choices I or others had made.  But, I know without each of these events panning out the way they did, I may not have met all of the wonderful, influential friends that I have.  I may not have gone to Japan.  I may not have experienced all that I have.  I wouldn't be the same person I am.  This is kind of a round about way to say we don't know who we would be now if history were different, and we don't really know how we would react were Christ to look us in the eye and say, "Come, follow me."

The beautiful thing is, we don't have to wonder!  One of my favorite hymns that we sing is "Come Unto Jesus."  In it, we sing of Jesus' love, his unwavering patience, and the comfort, relief, and forgiveness that we find when we find him.  But, of all, the last verse is my favorite:  "Come unto Jesus from every nation, from every isle and land of the sea [JAPAN!!!!].  Unto the high and lowly in station, ever he calls, 'Come to me.'"  He doesn't care where you come from.  He doesn't care what your skin color is.  He doesn't care what your likes and dislikes are.  He doesn't care how much money you make or how much you don't.  He doesn't care if you're living now, in the future, or if you were living 2000 years ago.  To me, to you, to everyone he beckons.  To all of us he extends the call.  We don't have to wonder, "What if?" because we can do it now.  He stands at the door knocking, waiting for us to open.  And when we open the door of our hearts to him, his call will resonate throughout:

Come, follow me.

The High Road

Before the New Testament, the story of Christ's life and mortal ministry, took place, we have set of scriptures called the Old Testament.  Some think it's outdated and irrelevant to us because Christ fulfilled so many of the laws and practices they followed during that time.  One reason we do still have it is at least for their stories.  We can read of their faith and courage and find ways to model them in our own lives like we would an ancestor's journal.  Their laws and rituals were all symbolic of Christ, so as we study them, we can more deeply understand the atonement, his sacrifice for us.  But we are not expected to live like them.

According to Mosaic law, were someone to wrong you, the exchange, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" was appropriate.  With an unjust act, they followed the laws of physics and found a consequence that was equal and opposite.  This was considered fair, so there are quite a few stories of people being killed in the Old Testament because that was the culture; that was the law.  It is not much like our civil governments today, except instead of cutting our fingers off or beheading our chickens, they charge us money and jail time is often included.  

When Christ taught and served over 2000 years ago, he introduced to everyone a new commandment.  We know it as the "higher law".  "A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another..." (John 13:34)  This rattled a few cages.  The Jews were probably afraid that he was trying to take everyone's focus off of God and direct it more to men, but really he was specifying the law, and consequently intensifying it.  Before, they felt justified in perhaps not being completely honest or kind to others because it wasn't included in Moses' 10 commandments or their new oral law the leaders created.  But now Christ had taken away their loopholes and was condemning their false doctrine, infuriating the leaders at the time.

It's said that the Jews loved Moses so much because he was dead.  He couldn't tell them they were doing it wrong.  Very few accept a prophet during his ministry.  It's after he's died and his prophecies are fulfilled that the next generation realizes that he was right.  Christ had come to prophecy, to atone, and to teach.  He taught of this high road and of charity.  He stressed the importance of loving and serving God, but at the same time expressed and illustrated the deep need to love and serve those around us just as much.  In Moroni chapter 7, he copies down some of the words his father Mormon gave in an address about faith, hope and charity.  Faith is our relationship with God, hope involves anticipating our personal reward, but charity is serving others' needs.  Throughout the chapter, we are instructed that if we are found without either of these in the last days, it will not be well with us.  These three form a tripod that keeps us sturdy.

Charity is so hard.  At first, you have to fake your love because the best way to achieve a goal is "fake it till you make it."  But, over time, you don't have to force yourself anymore, and love becomes your driving motivation.  The people you're serving become more important to you than the award or recognition that may or may not be awaiting.

As a missionary, I began my service because I had a testimony of the gospel and wanted to serve God, because I loved him and wanted to give back in some small way for all he had done to help me in my life.  After time, that wasn't enough.  Japanese was so hard to learn.  The people were not interested in Christianity.  I was big, white, and intimidating there.  I would get so frustrated.  Then I really found a love for the people in Japan.  Their somewhat childish outlook on life, pure and innocent humor, and general hospitality touched my heart.  My conversations began to change with them.  Instead of rehearsed and calculated questions, I was getting to know them and trying to help them see how the gospel could guide their lives.  I knew without a doubt that what I was telling them could help, so it hurt so much more when they rejected me.  But because I began coming so much closer to all these people, it meant so much more to me when they would join us at church or finally start reading the Book of Mormon or someday be baptized.  Love became my driving force, and then it wasn't work.  I was making friends.

Revenge can be complicated, but it is always the easy way out.  Seek for charity and humility.  What goes around does not necessarily have to be sent back around by us.  Higher roads are harder to take, but for your personal benefit and the benefit of your relationships, charity and humility is the better way.  Everyone will enjoy you, and vengeful poison will not fester in your bowels.

Look to serve.  Love everyone.  Let it go.

The End?

Recently, my thoughts have been turned to family.  Many of my friends have and are preparing to get married.  My sister and cousin recently had a baby, another cousin’s wife is expecting a child, another cousin got married, and one more is preparing for his ensuing marital agreement.  These are all momentous occasions that have caused my family to come closer together.  Naturally, I enjoy family get-togethers more now because there’s less time for everyone to mock me when they’re admiring a newborn baby boy.  I also enjoy the opportunity to see relatives that live far away and that I don’t get to visit with very often.  Hanging out with friends is fun and enjoyable, but nothing can ever really compare to spending time with your family.  But this is exactly what these happenings have drawn my thoughts to:  spending time with my family.  However, I’m not talking about just getting together and having dinner or watching a movie. 

Putting a question mark after “The end” is a terrible way to end a movie and a rather obvious, classless way to tell the audience you’re planning on shooting a sequel granted the current one makes enough money.  However, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we put a question mark after “The End.”  I’m not talking about Mormon cinematography, either.  If you have ever attended an LDS funeral service, you will understand what I mean, but for those  who haven’t, I will try to paint the picture of what we believe, how it makes us feel, and maybe that will explain why there’s always a big, happy luncheon afterwards with more types of Jell-O and casserole than there is barbeque sauce in my house(Just kidding, there is NO explanation for a mormon’s fascination with Jell-O and casserole).

First, I’d like to reiterate our 3^rd article of faith which states, “We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.”  I believe I’ve addressed the atonement and the gospel in previous posts.  Ordinances include Baptism by the proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by that same authority, and the sacrament.  One of the ordinances we perform necessary for salvation is marriage.  When we marry in the temple, we are sealed to our spouse past death and on to eternity.  Any children  born prior to the union  can be sealed to their parents and any children born after are automatically linked.  My parents were married in the temple, and therefore, I know that if they, my siblings, and I continue to keep the promises we’ve made with God, we can live together forever as a family.

My parents’ parents have also been sealed, and so have their parents, and so on.  Joseph Smith was given the authority by Elijah so that, as Jesus Christ put it, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19)  With this ability, we can help our loved ones that have died earlier by performing on their behalf, the ordinances listed above required for salvation. 

This knowledge has comforted me in times of grief when a grandparent, other relative, or other loved one dies.  But I don’t need to be humbled to feel that joy.  I find peace in knowing I have lasting relationships when I spend time with my siblings, parents, and those to whom I’m sealed to on Earth and in heaven. 

This is all possible through Christ’s atonement, giving us the power to look past death.  It is no longer a barrier, but an obstacle that we need only take the right steps to overcome. 

Some things should end.  Families shouldn’t.

Fasting vs. Starving

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we fast on the first Sunday of every month as a group; sometimes collectively for the same purpose, usually with our own thoughts in mind.  Fasting has been defined as abstaining from 2 consecutive meals.  However, some people get caught up too much in the duration of our fast over the principle behind it.  I'd like to address both aspects.

Because of extenuating circumstances, I was not able to attend church last week consequently depriving me of the opportunity to fast with my ward family and share mine and others' testimonies.  So, I decided to fast today, and here are some fast facts about fasts.  According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a group of volunteers followed a diet and fasted every other day, Ramadan style (no food from sunrise till after sunset).  Their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were down, and their ratio from HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol was much better.  They also lost weight and weren't bingeing on their days off their fast to "compensate" for the food they didn't eat the day earlier.  This is much more frequent than we fast.  However, small benefits are to be had.  Fasting teaches self control.  It teaches us to resist food when we don't actually need it for a better cause.  As a student, I often resisted food while finishing homework.  (I say resist, but forgot to eat would probably be more accurate)  This self control can transition to other areas of our lifestyle, and when we eat, we can ask, "Do I need that?"  Fasting resets your body and is good for your heart.

Here are some other facts.  When executed in our church, I feel like an unsettlingly large percentage of Latter-Day Saints don't do it "right".  We are told to fast with a purpose.

What does that even mean?

Well, above, I said that fasting helps us strengthen our mind and will.  When we don't eat, we usually think about eating.  We get hungry and crave food.  The way I see it, our purpose in fasting is something we should be thinking about instead of being hungry.  It's something we need more focus toward.  Sometimes, it's a miracle we need, and we use fasting to show our commitment to God so he'll answer with his commitment to us hopefully in a way pleasing to us.  When we feel hunger on fast Sunday, we are thinking of ourselves.

So, what does God gain from encouraging this voluntary starvation?  Well, I think it all continues to go back to our strengthened mind.  With our mental exercise, we can more accurately focus on our relationship with God and keep an eye single to his glory.  Unlike Chameleons, we cannot consistently look in two different directions at once.  When our eyes receive images, the brain converts them to one.  So, if our eyes are turned toward darkness, we will be dark.  But, if our sights are set toward God, we will be filled with light.  To pursue this metaphor, if our thoughts are turned to hunger, we will be grouchy, short, and disinterested.  If we maintain our purpose in fasting, we will be bright, motivated, and, ironically, energized.

I had approximately 24 fast Sundays as a missionary.  For most of us, fasting includes going to church and then going home and doing nothing because church meetings are always scheduled to avoid fast sunday.  But, though Sunday is the BUSIEST day of the week, missionaries get no such relaxation on fast Sunday.  I was hitting the streets in the summers, running to and from appointments, teaching lessons, and other missionary tasks like normal on fast Sundays.  I always had a purpose.  I always had a person we were talking with in mind.  I would think of my family.  I would contemplate new ways to help the ward or find new people to talk to.  And I ALWAYS had enough energy to get through the day.  I would be exhausted by the time we came home, but I was exhausted everyday.

There is power in fasting.  There is strength in fasting.  Alma, the son of Alma, who saw an angel, credited the reception of his witness to prayer and fasting.  He had seen an angel and was motionless for 3 whole days, yet when he discusses his path to conversion, he accredits his testimony to the time he spent fasting and praying.  So, for anyone who is at any stage in learning about this church, I encourage you to converse with God.  Prayer is where you learn his will, and fasting is where you calibrate your mind to receive his instruction.  For everyone on different positions on the path to forever, pick a purpose for your fast.  The things you will think of will be truly inspired.  The things you will learn will be beneficial.  The strength you will gain is irreplaceable.

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Often, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we use the word “trial”.  Too often, this is associated with some sort of test that exhibits our spiritual prowess.  We remember Abinadi refusing to deny Christ on the stake as he burned.  We remember the trials Christ went up to up to and including the atonement and his crucifixion.  We think of our less-distant forefathers, the pioneers, who trekked miles and miles across the great plains of America seeking escape from intense harassment while living in a country that boasted religious freedom.  These are certainly impressive, and some may face daunting tasks comparable to these and other known and respected stories.  But, those of us who live normal lives without that much pressure and much fewer life-and-death decisions, we may feel inadequate when these stories are told.  I, personally, feel like there’s no opportunity for such situations to arise in my life.  I wonder how I can be an example if I don’t do anything “cool”.

When we look at trials like I’ve described above, we’re looking at the circumstance.  And, to compare our circumstances with others is, for lack of a better metaphor, comparing apples and oranges.  Nobody else has the same life as you, so nobody will have the same situation you do.  However, you may have lost a family member or gotten in a car crash.  Now, nobody had the same relationship with your relative that you did, nor can they exactly understand the trauma your accident may have brought.  However, from their experience, they bring empathy into their consolation as they confidently tell you that they may not know exactly how you feel, but everything will be alright. 

What I’m getting at with this is that we can’t and shouldn't compare circumstances.  We shouldn't necessarily look up to someone because of all the hard things they may or may not have in their life.  We shouldn't feel insecure about ourselves because of a lack of excitement or excess of resistance.  The important thing about trials is the lessons learned.  There is a trial to be learned from every “trial” we face, no matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’.  When hit with a staggering blow, my first inclination is toward gratitude.  I have to find it in my to accept the problem before me as an opportunity to learn and grow before I can seek for a way out.  Otherwise, I would continue onward under the impression that I’m doing nothing wrong.  Find a way to laugh at a mistake or see the good in a situation. 

I’m going to clarify with a Chinese proverb that I learned in Japanese.  人間万事塞翁が馬(ningen banji saiou ga uma).  A man had several horses and a son.  One day, his son was riding the horse when he hit a branch or something, lost his balance, and fell off the horse.  His foot got caught in the stirrup, and was dragged by the horse for some distance, consequently breaking his leg.  Obviously, his father grieved over this accident, and I’m sure they both thought, “Why is this happening to me?!”  Well, shortly after, a war started and a recruiter came to their town looking for able-bodied men to fight in the war.  Had is son been healthy, he would have been taken, forced to fight, and probably died.  You may pull different morals from this story, but the one I learn is that there is always a “silver lining”(if I may describe a Japanese Chinese proverb using an English idiom…)

When you find the inner-workings of your task, break it down into manageable pieces, decide what needs to be done NOW, and then do it.  Focus.  Realize what is and isn’t worth worrying about.  Sometimes we get worked up over something of no significant consequence.  Take a deep breath, and move forward one step at a time. 

Christ has promised that if you but simply come unto him, he will “give you rest.”  We all have burdens.  We all are laden, or loaded, with heavy tasks.  To us specifically, Christ has promised to give us rest from what we have, and instead, take hold of a different burden; a lighter load that is much easier to bear.  We are not, and do not have to be pulling alone.  Everyone has their favorite metaphor, but for the sake of unity, I remind you all that when it seems we are walking alone, the footprints we see are not our own, but from our savior who has picked us up to carry us safely to smoother paths.  I have felt God’s loving embrace as a missionary when I knelt before him in humble prayer pleading for forgiveness and for direction.  I have seen his interference in the lives of my friends as they shouldered some of the hardest obstacles, yet came out on top.  I have learned so much in my short 21 years.  Without resistance, exercise loses its effectiveness.  Without trials, we cannot reach our full potential.