Be Someone More

The last two weekends have helped my testimony grow more than I ever could have imagined. Conference was amazing as always. I heard the answers to some very important questions that I had. Easter has always been a holiday that I have loved, but it is also one that I don't think I've ever fully appreciated. I love the lessons about Christ and about His sacrifice.

This year my Bishop decided to do a Bishop's fireside. This fireside made my Easter. We learned about God's grace. I think this is a topic that most people truly do not understand. I would put myself in that category. After last night I definitely have a better understanding and appreciation, but I know I still have a long way to go. I want to mention some of the things that stood out to me. I'll try to put them in a way that makes sense, but most of my thoughts are likely to be scattered. Hopefully you will get the gist of what I'm trying to say.

Our fireside was based off of an address by Brad Wilcox in a BYU devotional last summer. It was entitled His Grace is Sufficient. He gives and discusses 3 reasons why Christ's Grace is Sufficient.

1. To cover us

2. To transform us

3. Sufficient to help us

One way that many people view grace is that once we do all we can do, once we reach a mark so to speak, then and ONLY then does grace apply to us; however this is NOT the case. No matter where we are in our efforts Christ's grace applies to us right here and now. Christ doesn't cover the distance between us and where we want to be He makes all the difference. He is there every step of the way. One point that Brother Wilcox points out is that in order to satisfy justice there must either be either immediate perfection or punishment. Christ already suffered the punishment for everyone, so He can give us everlasting perfection. He doesn't expect us to be perfect right now and He definitely doesn't require us to do it on our own.

My favorite thing that was said is that we are not earning heaven, we are learning heaven. I used to think that once judgement day was over then we would enter into heaven and it would be this magnificent beautiful place that we had never seen anything like it before and that we would be this whole new person who was worthy and ready to take a part in it. And while I do think it will be like that I think it will also be something that seems familiar to us. I don't think we will be much different from the way we are now. We'll still be us and we'll still have our quirks. This life is the time for us to learn how to be like God.

Here is a list of a few other key things that stood out to me

• No unchanged thing will want to live with God. 
• The Atonement isn't only for us to go home, but to help us feel at home
• We can be content with progress in the right direction
• People give up because they feel they are falling short
• Perfection or giving up are not the only two options
• We can never repay Christ, but what we can do is show appreciation for what He has done for us
• Christ isn't there waiting at the finish line after we do all we can do. He is there helping us do all we can do.
• Grace isn't a booster engine that kicks in once our engine burns out. 
• Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road it is received right now
• The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us
• Don't look for excuses and escapes instead search for the Lord

Grace has the power to change us if we will let it. It has the ability to make us into someone more.

As a final thought, there are many people in life who are pulling for us to make it. Our parents, leaders, bishops, and friends, but there is one person who is not only pulling for us but with us as well and that is our Savior Jesus Christ. I know He is watching out for each and everyone of us. I'm so grateful for this Easter season that helps us remember all that he has done for us.

Oh and if you are interested in reading and/or watching the devotional, because I can't give it the justice it deserves, you can watch it here or read it here.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your Easter was as wonderful as mine.