I had a great study in Acts 18- it's a simple idea- but a very powerful one.
I've been working on getting better at my communications skills (probably one of those, it takes a life time to master things or something) and was asking myself, how can I better communicate? When do I know when it's right to speak up and when to listen? When to not say the witty rebuttal you're dying to throw back? And how will I know what to say when I need to speak up? These are questions and issues I've never been extremely comfortable with or able to handle very well, but I feel like I am improving. So that's something.
In Acts 18, Paul has not had much success finding people who are genuinely interested in the gospel. He eventually comes to a city where there are some who are ready to receive the gospel and are soon after baptized. Later that night, Paul receives a vision from the Lord, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." (Acts 18:9&10) Why would God have sent him this message after just having a successful baptism? Paul is still human! What has he experienced at this point?
Paul used to be an antagonist to the church, having been responsible for tearing families apart, and even the death of some members. He is still probably haunted by his past now and then- making it hard to believe people want to hear from him and listen to him. He may also be remembering the traumatic experiences he recently went through, like being publicly beaten without a trial, put in prison with no verdict, etc. God knows exactly what he is feeling and what he is experiencing, and therefore, knows exactly what he needs to hear. He gives him those gentle, loving words of encouragement and gives Paul the hope he needs to keep preaching. Now that Paul has the assurance he needs, he can trust that if he puts his faith in God, he will know what to say and how to say it when the time comes to preach again.
I love both sides of this story- God, being the perfect, whole, loving, and observant parent that he is recognizes Paul needs comfort and assurance in order to keep going. Once Paul receives the comfort, peace, and direction given from the Lord, he is able to speak boldly and bravely, despite any doubts or fears he may have,
Trust in God, and you will know what you need to say, or even what not to say. He will bring you the peace you need when you need it. I know He is aware of everything you are experiencing and will continue to guide you as you seek his help.
Have a great week!
Emily
Friday, February 19, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
If Thou Endure It Well
I really enjoyed my study today in Acts 16. At the beginning of this week, the phrase "endure it well" kept coming to my mind. We all have things we struggle with in this life- whether it's personal weaknesses, addiction, the actions of others, illnesses- the list goes on and on- but no one gets through this life without some kind of trial or another. It doesn't matter necessarily what has happened to us or what we've done in the past- what matters is how we decide to act in the now. Will we complain, become bitter, angry, and react to our situation? Or will we become more patient, more empathetic, stronger, and more capable of acting with emotional intelligence? The choice is ours. We won't get it right every time. And that's ok. That's just life. But we can continue to improve with each experience, allowing our trials and struggles to teach us to become the best version of ourselves.
One of the stories in Acts 16 struck me as a great example of learning to endure well. Paul and his companion, Silas, have been directed in a vision to go to a certain city named Philippi (part of Macedonia at the time). They meet a woman named Lydia, who soon chooses to be baptized, along with the rest of her family and friends and they are invited to stay with these great people. Things are going so well.....so naturally that means a trial is right around the corner. That's how they do.
As Paul and Silas continue to preach around this city, they encounter a soothsayer, who makes her bosses real rich with her fortune telling techniques (three guesses how- and I'm guessing it's not through the Holy Ghost). She keeps following them, and finally Paul casts out whatever spirit is enabling her to do her divination. Once her bosses find out, oh boy are they maaaad. There goes the way they make their money! Furious at Paul and Silas, these men capture them, take them to their leaders, and falsely accuse them of disturbing the peace and illegally thrusting their beliefs on the local citizens. Then, without a trial, or verdict, Paul and Silas are publicly beaten and abused, and soon after cast into prison.
I don't know about you, but if I experienced that drastic of a change from- hey we baptized a whole family!- to hey, we just got beat, humiliated, and thrown into jail!- I'd probably be thinking, oh my vision was wrong, God didn't send us here. Instead of growing angry, bitter, resentful, or completely discouraged with the intent of giving up, what do Paul and Silas do while they are in prison? They endure this trial well: "At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God..." (Acts 16:25) They were focusing all of their energy on God. Not on how unfair this situation was. Not on how much they wanted to go home, or not be in prison. Not thinking about, how could God let this happen to us?? We were doing everything he asked! No- instead they were thanking Him, and praising Him through song and prayer. What a couple of incredible fellas.
By choosing those actions, they were not only showing God their gratitude for all He did for them, but they were becoming more like Him. Their capacity to wait was increasing, their ability to love and forgive was strengthened- so much that when they were freed from prison (by the power of God), they reached out the jailer and taught him the gospel of Christ.
Woooow. Would you be inclined to forgive the man who had just chained you to the stocks? The man who'd been in charge of guarding you in prison, most likely who had witnessed your public humiliation and pain and had done nothing to stop it? I'd probably not want to be hanging around him once delivered from prison- but Paul and Silas do so much more than expected. Right when it looks as though the prisoners escaped, this man decides to take his life- but is fortunately stopped by Paul. The jailer comes into their cell and asks what he needs to do to be saved, and Paul and Silas invite him to come to Christ through baptism. That same night, this man washes their wounds from earlier, accepts the gospel of Christ, and is baptized. My goodness. Bet they didn't see that one coming! And it doesn't stop there- the jailer and the rest of his household are brought to Christ because of Paul and Silas's choice to endure their trial well. Had they choosen to become angry and bitter- they would not have had the spirit with them to teach this man and help him come unto Christ, along with the rest of his family.
Even though we might not understand why we struggle right in the middle of it all- it will make sense one day. The way we choose to act regardless of our circumstances not only affects our own lives on an individual level- but our actions, behavior, and even countenance will impact everyone we come in contact with. When we learn to endure well, we not only help ourselves - we help everyone. What a beautiful story!
I hope all is well with you!
Much love,
Emily
One of the stories in Acts 16 struck me as a great example of learning to endure well. Paul and his companion, Silas, have been directed in a vision to go to a certain city named Philippi (part of Macedonia at the time). They meet a woman named Lydia, who soon chooses to be baptized, along with the rest of her family and friends and they are invited to stay with these great people. Things are going so well.....so naturally that means a trial is right around the corner. That's how they do.
As Paul and Silas continue to preach around this city, they encounter a soothsayer, who makes her bosses real rich with her fortune telling techniques (three guesses how- and I'm guessing it's not through the Holy Ghost). She keeps following them, and finally Paul casts out whatever spirit is enabling her to do her divination. Once her bosses find out, oh boy are they maaaad. There goes the way they make their money! Furious at Paul and Silas, these men capture them, take them to their leaders, and falsely accuse them of disturbing the peace and illegally thrusting their beliefs on the local citizens. Then, without a trial, or verdict, Paul and Silas are publicly beaten and abused, and soon after cast into prison.
I don't know about you, but if I experienced that drastic of a change from- hey we baptized a whole family!- to hey, we just got beat, humiliated, and thrown into jail!- I'd probably be thinking, oh my vision was wrong, God didn't send us here. Instead of growing angry, bitter, resentful, or completely discouraged with the intent of giving up, what do Paul and Silas do while they are in prison? They endure this trial well: "At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God..." (Acts 16:25) They were focusing all of their energy on God. Not on how unfair this situation was. Not on how much they wanted to go home, or not be in prison. Not thinking about, how could God let this happen to us?? We were doing everything he asked! No- instead they were thanking Him, and praising Him through song and prayer. What a couple of incredible fellas.
By choosing those actions, they were not only showing God their gratitude for all He did for them, but they were becoming more like Him. Their capacity to wait was increasing, their ability to love and forgive was strengthened- so much that when they were freed from prison (by the power of God), they reached out the jailer and taught him the gospel of Christ.
Woooow. Would you be inclined to forgive the man who had just chained you to the stocks? The man who'd been in charge of guarding you in prison, most likely who had witnessed your public humiliation and pain and had done nothing to stop it? I'd probably not want to be hanging around him once delivered from prison- but Paul and Silas do so much more than expected. Right when it looks as though the prisoners escaped, this man decides to take his life- but is fortunately stopped by Paul. The jailer comes into their cell and asks what he needs to do to be saved, and Paul and Silas invite him to come to Christ through baptism. That same night, this man washes their wounds from earlier, accepts the gospel of Christ, and is baptized. My goodness. Bet they didn't see that one coming! And it doesn't stop there- the jailer and the rest of his household are brought to Christ because of Paul and Silas's choice to endure their trial well. Had they choosen to become angry and bitter- they would not have had the spirit with them to teach this man and help him come unto Christ, along with the rest of his family.
Even though we might not understand why we struggle right in the middle of it all- it will make sense one day. The way we choose to act regardless of our circumstances not only affects our own lives on an individual level- but our actions, behavior, and even countenance will impact everyone we come in contact with. When we learn to endure well, we not only help ourselves - we help everyone. What a beautiful story!
I hope all is well with you!
Much love,
Emily
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Balance
Life. It's a balancing act, isn't? And the thing is, I don't feel like it's ever going to get any easier. If anything- the pace will continue to increase, the demands will continue to grow- and I will continue to learn how to give attention to the things that matter most. In other words- BALANCE. What a beautiful concept.
I remember a photo that I fell in love with as a missionary in Florida. I was serving a full time church mission- and let me tell you what- it was probably the most intense time of my life. It felt like there was always so much to accomplish, and never enough time to get it done! There were times that I felt overwhelmed, defeated, like a failure, unable to keep going, and like I was stuck. I felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure out how to meet the demands of missionary life and not just accomplish everything that was expected of me- but to do it all well. Again, in other words, I didn't know how to balance my priorities. As I asked for help through prayer and talking with others around me, I remember one morning coming across an image that I will never forget. A pile of stones, in what seemed like an impossible defiance of gravity, was stacked unevenly on top of on another, stretching up the whole page. I didn't understand how exactly it worked- it looked like the stones should have fallen over- but somehow whoever put it together had found a way to make them work with one another. This person who created this "cairn" of sorts understood that each stone was able to fit in a specific spot that would allow the others to be included. AGAIN- it was all about balance!
I've been thinking a lot lately about why balancing is important- and with everything that is expected of us- whether we are single, married, parents, children, students, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, the list goes on and on- life doesn't let up. There will always be something that is demanding our attention- in fact it's usually several things all at once. And the thing that stuck out to me most (again, something I feel like I really learned from my time in Florida)- there will never be enough time to do everything you want. You make time. You make time for the things that matter most to you. I see that in my own life now, and I saw it time and time again, in my own life as well as the lives of those I encountered. There were families that had two parents working multiple jobs to put food in their children's mouths, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their heads. They were some of the busiest people I have ever met. But they never let the things they had to do get in the way of the things that mattered most to them: God and their families. Watching these families that had next to nothing physically give their time, energy, and talents when it seemed like they had nothing left was a miracle. They did not forget all of the wonderful things God had done for then. They did not forget where they came from, how hard they had worked to get there, and the vision they had for their family, not just in this life, but in the life to come.
Somehow, they were able to balance it all- work, taking care of their kids, paying their bills, groceries, etc- and still manage to make time for the gospel of Christ in their lives. Why? Why were they able to add even more to do to their plate when they already had so many things demanding their attention? Because God has given us the gospel of Christ to help, not hinder our progression on earth. Sure, living the gospel isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it feels like a check list if you aren't paying attention to why you are doing what you are doing. But God didn't give us the gospel of Christ to make us feel guilty. He didn't give us the gospel of Christ to make us aware of everything we aren't doing. He gave us this gospel so that we can accomplish great things while we are here in mortality, and so we each have the potential to become like Him. And to become like our Father in Heaven means to become perfect- whole, complete, balanced!
Sometimes it seems like all the things we have to do while living the gospel is a chore, or will get in the way of everything else we have to do. In reality, when we prioritize LIVING the gospel of Christ, I have found that we are enabled to do things far beyond our natural capacity.
As I was thinking over how to achieve balance, not just within my gospel living, my with my entire life, Matthew 6: 33 came to my mind: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." (33,34)
I've been worried about so many things lately, more than I care to share at the moment- that I'd forgotten such a basic principle- faith. Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement. Faith that things will work out in his time. Faith that I can change. Faith that others around me can change as well. And faith that if I put my trust in God and prioritize Him in all that I do, He will make up for the rest.
I know that I imperfect. I know that I makes mistakes daily, some bigger than others. I know that I have some habits, behaviors, characteristics that I really would like to change about myself. I know that there a lot of things that I am worried about that are out of my control. I know that I cannot control everything, or know how everything is going to turn out. But I do know that as I put my trust in God, He will help me grow, learn, and become the best I can be as I figure it all out. I know that He is aware of each of his children. I know that He will help you gain whatever it is you feel you're lacking- willpower, the ability to change, the desire to believe, money, time- whatever it is- if you put Him first, he will make up for the rest. I promise you that with all my heart (just remember- it'll be His timing, not yours).
I hope you have a great week!
Emily
I remember a photo that I fell in love with as a missionary in Florida. I was serving a full time church mission- and let me tell you what- it was probably the most intense time of my life. It felt like there was always so much to accomplish, and never enough time to get it done! There were times that I felt overwhelmed, defeated, like a failure, unable to keep going, and like I was stuck. I felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't figure out how to meet the demands of missionary life and not just accomplish everything that was expected of me- but to do it all well. Again, in other words, I didn't know how to balance my priorities. As I asked for help through prayer and talking with others around me, I remember one morning coming across an image that I will never forget. A pile of stones, in what seemed like an impossible defiance of gravity, was stacked unevenly on top of on another, stretching up the whole page. I didn't understand how exactly it worked- it looked like the stones should have fallen over- but somehow whoever put it together had found a way to make them work with one another. This person who created this "cairn" of sorts understood that each stone was able to fit in a specific spot that would allow the others to be included. AGAIN- it was all about balance!
I've been thinking a lot lately about why balancing is important- and with everything that is expected of us- whether we are single, married, parents, children, students, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, the list goes on and on- life doesn't let up. There will always be something that is demanding our attention- in fact it's usually several things all at once. And the thing that stuck out to me most (again, something I feel like I really learned from my time in Florida)- there will never be enough time to do everything you want. You make time. You make time for the things that matter most to you. I see that in my own life now, and I saw it time and time again, in my own life as well as the lives of those I encountered. There were families that had two parents working multiple jobs to put food in their children's mouths, clothes on their backs, and a roof over their heads. They were some of the busiest people I have ever met. But they never let the things they had to do get in the way of the things that mattered most to them: God and their families. Watching these families that had next to nothing physically give their time, energy, and talents when it seemed like they had nothing left was a miracle. They did not forget all of the wonderful things God had done for then. They did not forget where they came from, how hard they had worked to get there, and the vision they had for their family, not just in this life, but in the life to come.
Somehow, they were able to balance it all- work, taking care of their kids, paying their bills, groceries, etc- and still manage to make time for the gospel of Christ in their lives. Why? Why were they able to add even more to do to their plate when they already had so many things demanding their attention? Because God has given us the gospel of Christ to help, not hinder our progression on earth. Sure, living the gospel isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it feels like a check list if you aren't paying attention to why you are doing what you are doing. But God didn't give us the gospel of Christ to make us feel guilty. He didn't give us the gospel of Christ to make us aware of everything we aren't doing. He gave us this gospel so that we can accomplish great things while we are here in mortality, and so we each have the potential to become like Him. And to become like our Father in Heaven means to become perfect- whole, complete, balanced!
Sometimes it seems like all the things we have to do while living the gospel is a chore, or will get in the way of everything else we have to do. In reality, when we prioritize LIVING the gospel of Christ, I have found that we are enabled to do things far beyond our natural capacity.
As I was thinking over how to achieve balance, not just within my gospel living, my with my entire life, Matthew 6: 33 came to my mind: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." (33,34)
I've been worried about so many things lately, more than I care to share at the moment- that I'd forgotten such a basic principle- faith. Faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement. Faith that things will work out in his time. Faith that I can change. Faith that others around me can change as well. And faith that if I put my trust in God and prioritize Him in all that I do, He will make up for the rest.
I know that I imperfect. I know that I makes mistakes daily, some bigger than others. I know that I have some habits, behaviors, characteristics that I really would like to change about myself. I know that there a lot of things that I am worried about that are out of my control. I know that I cannot control everything, or know how everything is going to turn out. But I do know that as I put my trust in God, He will help me grow, learn, and become the best I can be as I figure it all out. I know that He is aware of each of his children. I know that He will help you gain whatever it is you feel you're lacking- willpower, the ability to change, the desire to believe, money, time- whatever it is- if you put Him first, he will make up for the rest. I promise you that with all my heart (just remember- it'll be His timing, not yours).
I hope you have a great week!
Emily
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