Would you live your life differently if you knew who you really were? Janet appears to tell me that she'd do it all differently if she had only known...
This is not meant to be a guilt trip! It’s meant to increase your faith and belief in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. It’s a pleading message from a deceased woman who would gladly have accepted the gospel, if only she had known.
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The baptismal covenant to share the gospel
Part of the covenant of baptism is that we will share the gospel with others, that they may find the joy and goodness of Christ’s message.
At the heart of gospel is an understanding that we are children of God. That understanding, ideally, guides the way we live our lives. It guides every decision we make, from the seemingly small things like how we dress or wear our hair to the bigger things, like who to marry and what goals to pursue.
Would you live your life differently if you knew who you really were? Janet answers that question when we meet this morning.
It’s 4:30am, and the spirit world is unusually quiet. Getting up early to meet with spirits and share their stories isn't always cut and dry. Sometimes, a whole crowd appears. Other times, there's no one. This was one of those mornings where the spirit world was silent.
I received this short poem, which provides instruction on how to receive.
I'm Listening
I open my heart that I may receive
And share these stories without fear.
I allow myself room to expand,
To hear their words most dear.
To testify of the one true King,
Who brings all who seek under his wing.
He binds and restores, makes weary hearts glad,
And offers the peace nowhere else to be had.
New plans for a new life
Now that my heart is open enough, Janet appears. She's a businesswoman in her mid-50's, dressed impeccably in a red suit and black heels. She comes to sit in a chair across from my desk where I write. She is sad and sorrowful.
"I always knew what I wanted to do. My life had plans so clear! I thought the things that I was seeking would fulfill my heart. I didn't even know there was a better way.
Now I feel sorrow for all of that time I spent on earth that was lost. I could have used it for better things and followed a better way. Why didn't anyone tell me? I would have gladly changed my ways!
Please tell all who know about Christ to tell others about him! There are so many like me who want to know and who would willingly receive."
The Son
Ghosts are made of men,
They seek to know what's true.
To find a new and better way,
One that leads them through.
Free of drugs and sex and pain,
Wallowing no more in mud and rain.
But better skies of white and blue,
And a shining Son flowing over you.
How can you share the gospel of Jesus Christ today? Following Him is the better way that Janet referred to. You don’t have to start a podcast or get on video. Maybe you could text a scripture to a friend, or invite someone to a church activity, or to church.
Sharing the gospel changes people's lives!
I am grateful for the woman who introduced me to the church, and to the Senior Missionaries who taught me in preparation for my baptism.
As I have continued to develop my relationship with my Father in Heaven and His Son, my entire life has changed. If it weren’t for the gospel, I would most likely still be teaching in a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. But now I’m using my time for better things, and following a better way.
Do you truly understand who you are? And does that understanding influence your major (and minor) life decision? It does matter. What we identify as sets the path for our life.
At the core, our primary identity is that of a child of God. Regardless of career or job or relationship status, nothing is more important that this central identity.
As a child of God, you are loved and cherished. You have a Father in Heaven who knows you and cares for you. He wants the best for all of His children, which is why He gives us commandments and the opportunity to make covenants with Him.
If you’re a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you have covenanted with God that you will share the gospel with others. Imagine the blessing you can bring to others as they learn that they are children of a God who loves them.
I promise that when you choose to focus on that core identity for yourself, and follow Heavenly Father's path, you will find more peace and joy than you can find anywhere else in this world. And, as you step out in faith to share the gospel, you will find more joy in your life.
Following the true light to Christ
As we help others come unto Christ, and as we do so ourselves, it’s important to remember that there are many paths of light that we might find as we seek for Truth. But there is only one path that leads to ultimate truth, and to life eternal.
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt 7:13-14)
What we seek we will find. The scriptures make that clear over and over again. If you are seeking for peace and lasting joy, the light of Christ is the only light that will bring that into your life. This is a poem I received about the one path that leads to Christ
The Light Is One
Read of Me, learn of Me,
Study and find the way.
The seekers you seek have hidden their truths,
And they have much to say.
Open your ears, see the doors,
The way before is hard.
Lean on Me, My yoke is light,
I know when to play My cards.
Dreamers dream and seek for fruition
Along the paths laid forth.
Rocks and scissors, and peeping wizards,
Are happy to guide henceforth.
But beware! o child, after what you seek
To shine light along the way.
Many are the voices, the rules and choices,
Yet one only is the true way.
Other paths gleam and glitter and shine
And sparkle with enticing glare.
That light blinds and numbs the mind,
Eventually leading nowhere.
The light from above is gentle and warm,
And leaves one fully contented.
It spares no thought, it pulls all in,
Makes all things one, cemented.
In peace and joy and love that abounds
And makes men truly free.
No more as slaves to a master,
But willingly following Me.
James 3:17 describes the light, or wisdom, that comes from above with these words: pure, bringing peace, gentle, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and sincere.
If we start with Christ, and center our searching on Him, he will guide us in his true light to the things we seek.
Main image by Tubarones Photography from Pexels.com
