As I was sitting at my computer this Sabbath morning, listening to Lamb of God by Rob Gardner. As I was listening, "I Am the Resurrection" began to play. I can't tell you how much I enjoy this song. I had the opportunity to perform this work in the choir with Rob at Gammage 2 years ago, and it was one of the most fulfilling performing experiences of my life. As I was listening to the song, I was overcome by emotion. The words, taken from the bible, are so powerful, and they spoke to my soul.
And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.
I am the Resurrection and the Life
He that believeth in Me, though he were dead
Yet shall he Live.
I am the resurrection
I Am the Resurrection excerpt (my head pops in at :38 on the upper right :D)
How powerful, how comforting is that thought, that through Him, we can have eternal life. It brought tears of joy to my eyes, and made me reflect on the life I lead, and how it's been made whole by following Christ. It made me think of who I was, and who I want to be. It made me think of who I am now, the change of heart I've been granted, and the absolute Joy I feel in Him.
6 months ago, I was slogging through life. I had a job I hated, I was going to school for something I loved, but I doubted I would be successful. I was depressed, I was sad, I was often angry. The smallest things would set me off at a moments notice. I was unsatisfied in my life. Worse yet, so many people around me were so happy. I remember thinking "Why? Why are they happy, when I'm so depressed, unsatisfied. Why do they get to be joyous?" It's because they not only had the Light of Christ in them, a light which we all have to one degree or another, but they followed that Light. They listened, they acted when prompted to do so. As you know, if you've been following this blog, I then sought after, and found this Light.
I cannot adequately describe to you the change in my life it has brought. Once moody and full of rage, I'm joyful, excited about life, and filled with the Love of Christ. I was never a bad person, but I wasn't necessarily a great one. I was more likely to scoff at pleas for assistance than to help. Now, I feel so strongly the love He has for His children that I seek opportunities to help whenever I can.
I recall an instance a few days prior to Christmas where this change was most evident to me. Before I relate this story, I want to mention that this is something I have shared with very few people, because it feels like a humble brag. I promise you I'm not relating this to gain attention, or to receive praise; I'm sharing it because the Spirit is prompting me to do so.
The Monday before Christmas, I went to the store to finish (read: start...) my Christmas shopping. As I walked from the parking lot to the entrance, I was approached by a woman selling candy canes. She explained to me that it was her daughter's first Christmas, and she was trying to make money to buy her a gift. Usually, I would simply shrug off the sob story, say I had no cash, sorry, and move on. But this day was different. I gave my standard response,m "I have no cash, I'm sorry...", but I was moved to do more. I didn't have cash, but I had a debit card, and more money than I need. So I told her I had no cash, but if she wanted to come with me in the store, I would gladly buy some gifts for her daughter.
As I write that, I'm reminded of the example of my father, who is one of the most charitable men I know. I can remember various occasions in my life where my father has given money, time, aid to complete strangers. Whether it was offering a ride to the elderly man whose scooter had run out of power in Mesa, miles from his home in Gilbert, or when he felt compelled to offer a homeless man all of the money in his wallet, my father has always been ready and willing to follow the promptings of the Spirit in aiding his fellow man.
That Monday, I followed his example as I took this woman into the store. We picked out a few outfits, grabbed some binkys, and headed to the checkout line. I remember the gratitude she expressed as we walked and chatted in the store. She told me her daughters name was "Serenity... It means peace." I refrained from informing her I was aware, and simply told her it was a lovely name. At the register, I got some cash back and gave it to her, wishing her a Merry Christmas. As we went our separate ways, I was overcome with a wondrous feeling of love, joy, and pride from my Heavenly Father.
Mosiah 2:17 tells us:
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;
that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings
ye are only in the service of your God.
I felt the truth of this scripture that day. I can tell you with a surety that when we follow those promptings we receive from Him, we are tools in His hands, working His will to help others. I promise you, my dear friends, that when you listen and act upon the promptings you receive, you will be blessed, and you will find joy in the work.
With Love,
Taylor
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