Understanding That You Won’t Always Understand

This week in New Testament we talked about Paul’s second mission. Throughout his journey I have found myself relating to him in so many ways. During high school I didn’t always seek to follow the spirit or do the right thing, but when college came around I knew that the decisions I was making were to big to not go to my Heavenly Father. When I got into both University of Utah and BYU I felt that although I wanted to go to the University of Utah the Holy Ghost was leading me elsewhere. The choice was not easy. Coming to BYU was a big adjustment. I had never had a curfew or really understood what it meant to be modest and was terrified of one piece swimming suits. Never the less I trusted that Heavenly would help me through it and he surely did. Overtime I was able to see changes in myself that I now am so grateful for. Like Paul’s mission the hard thing made me more committed to the gospel and determined to press forward. Paul in Acts 16:7 they think that they should leave towards Bithynia, but are told instead not to. Then later they are told not to even teach in Asia. Paul must have felt confused why the logical answers in his mind were not always matching up with the answers given by the Holy Spirit. In class we discussed that the spirit will most often tell you what to do and even sometimes how to do it, but he usually will not tell you why you are doing it. For this reason as my husband and I recently considered where we should be next year considered all our options and let each of them play out. We were able to understand what we were supposed to do and we are still figuring out the how. Like many experiences in the past I have guessed at the reasons why, but always am amazed at what more Heavenly Father has in store for me that I never imagined such as Paul’s success in Corinth.

Everyone belongs to the gospel!

Yesterday in class we discussed the history of converts during Peter's time. Before his time the Law of Moses had been in effect for over 1500 years and separated the Jews from the Gentiles. When Peter was sent to baptize Cornelius he had to be told directly from the Lord in a vision to overcome this imbedded culture.

 

We talked about how this relates to the same switch with giving the priesthood to all worthy men. No matter what the culture we live in or what truth we have been given from the Lord, we are all a part of the gospel. Everyone chose this plan and this gospel as a way to get back home to their Heavenly Father. One thing I love about this Church is that we have an understanding of life before this. We understand that we had purpose in coming to this world.

 

Knowing this and understanding that the Lord is know respecter of persons has given me a new perspective on how I should view all of God's children. In the Marriott school we often are in siloes that have different reputations and ranks. I have come to realize that these things are very juvenile and unimportant because we are all equal in the most spectacular way. The one that thing that is the most important is that we belong to our Heavenly Father and his gospel. Everyone can be baptized and feel the blessings our Heavenly Father is waiting to pour out to us.

The Lord will guide us to those who are in need of the truth, the truth that is rightfully theirs. My favorite verse we discussed in class was Acts 10:23

And they said Cornelius the centurion a just man and one that feareth God and of good report among all the nation of the Jews was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house and to hear words of thee.

Rejoice in Suffering

This week in New Testament we talked about Peter and some of the other apostles that were being persecuted for preaching about Jesus Christ. In Acts 5 they were actually beaten and told to stop preaching about Jesus Christ. There response was shocking to me:

Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

I thought about the many times that I have been called out or suffered in the name of Jesus Christ. Although I have never suffered as Peter or those who were with them I have suffered in some ways. In each case I have never responded in the way these men did. Many missionaries may be in similar situations as they are persecuted for spreading the gospel. Would they ever think how blessed they actually are to be able to suffer shame for his name. The more I think about this the more I realize how correct they were to rejoice.

Would you rather be the apostles who have the light and knowledge of Jesus Christ and were chosen by him to spread the gospel or would you rather be the person who has no knowledge and therefore persecutes those who do? I think I along with many other would rather be beaten then have the knowledge of the gospel taken away from me. Even writing this statement I feel like it is very strong, but that is how the people of there day had to be and I feel like it is the same way we as disciples of Christ must also be.

Be a Witness

I am currently taking a new class at BYU known as New Testament. For those of you who aren't familiar with BYU curriculum we are required to take 14 credits of religious classes. Required to me seems like a very strong word in this case because I really enjoy taking these classes. This happens to be my last one because I am graduating in April! I will really miss this part of my education though. Throughout the semester I am to share with you some of my insights and feelings regarding the last half of the New Testament.

During the first class we talked being a witness because the apostles have now been called to teach "the uttermost part of the earth." Our professor asked us to think of times in life when we have witnesses. The obvious response was in court. In this court case we are called to be the witnesses. Witnesses testify, but who are we testifying for? Are we testifying for our own beliefs...maybe, but I think its bigger than that. We are here to testify for Christ. He is the one on trial being slammed by the entire world for say not existing, not saving all of us, not being a loving being and so on.

The apostles as they accepted this call must have felt overwhelmed as have many others throughout history who have been called as a witness. I also feel overwhelmed as I commit each week in Church by taking the sacrament to be a witness at all times. I was trying to think of ways I could be a better witness of Christ, especially when I leave this campus. Here are the following few things I came up with and I challenge you to also take these upon yourselves.

·       Testify of him daily

·       Learn of him and his attributes

·       Pray to be like him

·       Stand up for him whenever possible