What touches me most about this picture is the depiction of the Savior's humble beginning. He came to earth just as the rest of us did: as a tiny babe who depended completely on someone else for learning and growth. Although He was the Son of God, He was still subjected to the same human life cycle through which all of us must pass. He was not forced to be perfect, for this would go against the divine endowment of agency to each of us. Rather, He knew of His divine destiny and He made choices that made Him perfect. This is truly a tender mercy from God, that we have a Savior who understands us because He came to earth and lived as a human being. He lived a perfect life so that we could be perfected in Him.
Over the last week, I have been touched by this miracle on more than one occasion. I have become acutely aware of some of my weaknesses that I need to improve, but rather than being filled with sorrow or despair, I have been filled with hope in Jesus Christ. These weaknesses are not grievous sins, but simply little flaws in the way I handle certain situations. As I have repented and sought the enabling power of the atonement in my life, I have felt a quiet assurance that I can become better. I know that because the Savior lived a perfect life here on earth, He knows how to help me overcome my natural inclinations. This tender mercy has been a major part of my life up until now, and will continue to be for the rest of my existence. Just as the apostle Paul, I have a testimony that:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philipians 4:13)
For me, it is a tender mercy to know that Jesus Christ was subjected to all things. This includes anything that I have, do, and will go through. Yet, in spite of this, He remained true to His divine purpose and destiny with total perfection in all things. He can help me know what I need to do to improve because He has walked the path that I walked, and He is walking it with me once again. He is truly merciful, and I know that I can be one of His miracles if I will just let Him work in my life.
I have been contemplating the purpose of this blog more over the last week, and the Lord has helped me see part of why He inspired me to start this blog. As I have been searching for the Lord's hand in my life, I have felt a greater measure of His personal love for me. Feeling His love for me has strengthened me. I needed to feel His love so badly, and He knew that this would bring about that blessing for me. As I prayed to feel of His love, He inspired me to do something that would help bring that love into my life! What a strengthening and beautiful tender mercy this has been!
As I studied my scriptures yesterday, I came across this scripture in Ether 7:27:
"...and he remembered the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers in bringing them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore he did execute judgment in righteousness all his days."
While reading this scripture, I realized that King Orihah was able to "execute judgment in righteousness all his days" because "he remembered the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers." This is another thing that the Lord has been teaching me through searching for His tender mercies! I know that as I continue to see His hand in my life and remember the great things that He has done for me, it will strengthen me and help me remain righteous all my days.
To learn more about Jesus Christ and what He has done for you, visit http://mormon.org/jesus-christ
Beautifully written, Lins! Great thoughts!
ReplyDelete