Did Not Our Heart Burn?

Let me just say, I love this video.

I love the two disciples' reaction as Christ is about to depart from them and they ask Him to stay the evening with them.  They didn't recognize Jesus with whom they walked, because "their eyes were holden that they should not know him" (Luke 24:16 KJV).  I don't think it was only out of politeness that they asked Him to abide with them, or even because He was expounding "in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."  I think it was because they felt the Spirit as He spoke.  They felt it powerfully testifying of the truths He taught, and comforting their sad countenances.  Recognizing that feeling, they invited Him to stay, just a little longer.

"Did not our heart burn within us?" (Verse 32)

I want to be as the disciples along the road to Emmaus.  I want to be able to recognize that Spirit speaking to me, testifying to me, comforting me.  I want to be able to choose the paths that allow Him to stay.  I want to have the courage and initiative to invite Him to abide with me, in all that I do.  And I want to be able to say with confidence "Did not my heart burn within me?"

I want God to guide me as I walk the roads on this Earth, and I know He can do so if I live my life in a way that the Holy Ghost can direct my paths.

My goal is to get better at creating quiet, calm moments, where I can pay attention to how I feel and how the Spirit communicates with me.  Along my own road to Emmaus, I hope I'll be able to say at the end, that my heart could feel it all along the way.

If You're Happy & You Know It

The title's a bit of a joke; it comes from the KJV of John 13:17 where Jesus Christ says "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

Christ is talking about following His example, perhaps particularly of offering humble service, as He had just washed the feet of His twelve apostles who sat with Him for dinner.  However, what I absolutely love about this scripture is Christ's choice of the word "do."

Not "happy are ye if ye know them," or "happy are ye if ye believe them," and not even "happy are ye if ye do them every once in a while."  Happy are we if we continually do as Christ has done.  If we get up and move the bodies we've been given to serve those in need, be they strangers, family, friend, or someone we honestly just do not get along with.

Sometimes it takes a lot to give thoughtful, meaningful, humble service.  It takes courage to speak up and offer something you're not sure will be wanted.  It takes patience to serve someone who does not want to be served or is ungrateful for your service.  It takes charity and effort to be genuine in your deeds of kindness.  And heck, it takes a lot of time.

But you get so much more than you put in!  "Happy are ye..."!  By getting out of our personal bubble and catering to someone else's needs, our emotional tanks are refueled with happiness and love and a perspective that allows us to be strong through our own tough times and downs.

I'm straight up challenging each of you to find someone to serve this week.  If you want, take careful time to think about someone in need and what you can meaningfully bring to their life.  Or, just keep service in mind, and when you run into a stranger in distress take that courage to reach out.  I can promise you that the Savior's words are true: that when we serve others as He served, we can bring happiness into our lives and others'.

It's a win-win-win for us, them, and God.

How will you serve this week?

Light Light

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Good heavens.  What a week past, what a day present, what a semester ahead.

I am so tired.  I am so weighed down.  I am so defeated.

Over the weekend, while listening to M. Russell Ballard speak of waves, words describing my current feelings came to mind:

buffeted
                    turmoil  
                                     riptide
                                                      tossed
                                                                         storm
                                                                                          drifting
                                                                                                              sinking
           

                                                                                                                               lost.


When Jesus Christ invites all to come unto Him, He promises rest.
Yet from the storms of insecurity, schedules, to-do lists, stress, sin, and life He does not promise a ship impenetrable to the winds, rain, and waves.

Instead He promises a light burden.

Thinking of the many changes in my life that I have made in order to follow Jesus Christ more closely and faithfully, I realize those changes have not been easy.  In fact, I wouldn't say they have been light at all.
But they certainly, one hundred percent, definitely have brought light.

"...my burden is light."

Following Jesus Christ does not mean a life without storms, a ship without waves, a burden without weight; it means meaning, purpose, direction, and ultimately eternal happiness, through all of that.

It means that when I am soaked by the rain I can look up and know I have a Redeemer who has suffered for both my spiritual mistakes and my stressful academic life in order to know how to help me.


It means that when I am tossed overboard I can swim and know I have a specific path to follow that will help me be closer to Him and happiness.



It means that when I am sinking, and it seems like the darkness of the depths of the sea has engulfed me, I can hold onto the light that He is, and know that I am not alone.

Take up His yoke.  Trade your burden for His.

Come, follow Jesus Christ.