I consider myself an expert on the subject of grace. Not because I have a better understanding of it than most people. I just know it when I see it and when I’ve felt it. And boy, how I’ve felt it. Perhaps I’m not really an expert at all, I just have a lot of practice. But even with all the years of messing up, and needing this grace, I still struggle with the most simple of questions: What is grace? I feel like we over complicate this subject when in reality, in it’s purest form, could not be more simple.
I remember someone once taught me that grace was Gained Righteousness at Christ’s Expense. Meaning that with Christ’s atonement, he purchased for us a way to have a relationship with Heavenly Father and the ability to return to live with him again. Which is something that we would never be able to earn for ourselves. It is a gift that could never have been given by anyone but the Savior. Once this gift is realized and put into use, it adequately covers everything. Every debt cancelled. Every sin - past, present and future - forgiven. So get ready because grace is a growing revolution and a worldly execution, meaning that if we leave the flesh behind it enlarges spiritual capacity to grow. By doing so we are stepping into a movement that continues to change the world by sharing the knowledge of redemption to everyone. This is a revolution that never dies. It only gets stronger and stronger. “What is grace?” You ask. Grace is the strength given to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Grace is the enabling power and spiritual healing offered through Christ’s love and mercy. Grace can repair any sin. It is why Christ died for us, so that we could have his grace. It is because of grace that I have even a chance to return to live with my Heavenly Father again. Without grace I would never be able to make it through life without sin. I know that my Savior has been through all that I have and that he is there to succor me. He knows my needs and my trials. He knows worries and fears. I know that Christ has got my back.
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First of all I’d like to congratulate you. You’ve made it, it’s finally 2017! The beginning of the new year has always been very exciting to me. I think it’s mostly because I like new beginnings. I love starting fresh. I like setting goals for myself and seeing what I can actually accomplish. But right now, I’d like to give some advice for the coming year.
Before I give you that advice I was talking about, I want to tell you something that I’ve benefitted from when I was reviewing 2016. As I was thinking about the past year, I was so caught up in the negative things could have been different. But I learned that when you begin to feel like things should have been better this year, remember the mountains and valleys that got you here. They were not accidents and those moments were not in vain. You are not the same, you’ve grown and are still growing no matter how old you are. Remember that you are wrapped in endless, boundless grace. And things will get better. Heavenly Father knew you could handle whatever trials you experienced and both He and the Savior will always be there, rooting for you. Okay now on to the advice...First, you don’t have to have it all figured out to go forward. I really like to have things well planned out before I go anywhere or do anything. But things don’t have to be completely planned in order for you to take the first step in a new direction. I had always planned on going to college close to home, but this year, I felt that I needed to apply for a college that was out of state. At first, I really didn’t want to, but I really felt that I still needed to at least apply. I don’t know if I got in yet and have no idea what I’m going to do if I get in. But I know that if I trust in my Heavenly Father, he will direct my paths. My next piece of advice for you is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Even if it’s only something small. Last week, my family went to a wedding in Arizona. It was really fun, it was for one of our friends. Well the brother of this guy is around my age and I’ve known him since we were both little. Anyway this kid asked me to dance, actually it was more like he told me he wanted to dance with me and pulled me to the dance floor. I had no idea what to do because it wasn’t a slow song and it wasn't a song you could really dance to either. But I went with him anyways. The next thing I know he’s in front of me and he starts line dancing! I felt so self conscience, as we were the only to people on the dance floor. But then I thought to myself, when am I going to get the chance to line dance with this kid ever again. And so we line danced the heck out of that song and it was the most fun I had had in awhile. You never know how much fun you’re going to have unless you leave your comfort zone. Another piece of advice I’d like to bestow upon you is to pray often. Even if whatever it is that you feel you need to pray about isn’t huge. Heavenly Father wants you to communicate with him because it brings you closer to Him. I kind of struggled with praying for a little while this past year and I can tell you that it is absolutely horrible to lose communication with Heavenly Father. I know that the closer you are to Him, your trials will never feel unconquerable. |
My name is Ellie. I am a sophomore at BYU Idaho. I am excited to live life and to share a small piece of it with you!
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