I want you to think about your lifetime. Now, compare that to eternity. We think about this concept a lot as Latter-day Saints and I have thought about it a lot this week. I hope that this email motivates a perspective change and a reality check for all those that read- specifically on what you need to do or what conclusion you must fully come to in your life at this time. After all, your life is just one small blip!
I say blip because that is what our lives here on earth are. They are but a tiny, minuscule blip compared to what lies ahead. I think the importance of this blip can be easily forgotten. While this blip is small in time, it is large in significance. The way you go about treating your personal blip can and will determine your eternal destiny. It sounds kind of scary, huh? The fact that one, tiny ounce of time can determine what the rest of our time as eternal beings will be like. Well, there is no need to fear!
I want you to think about where you are at with life right now. Today, I want you to do an inventory on wherever that is (emotionally, spiritually, physically, you name it). After you do that, think about where your Father in Heaven wants you to be. NOT where you want to be... because frankly, that doesn't really matter.
In life, there are all kinds of situations that each of us go through. With my personal observations I've come to realize three distinct groups of people. You have those that live what appear to be seamlessly easy and enjoyable lives. Everything usually tends to work out in these peoples' favor. They have their struggles, but their life is overall an extremely lucky and enjoyable one. Then, you have the people whose lives are a living hell. If it's not one thing, it's another. These people literally suffer every single day of their lives. They do all that's asked of them, follow our Father in Heaven, and still seem to struggle at seeing any light. Then, you have the people (most) who are in between these tow extremes. They experience joy and pain and overcome some very tough trials. They continually struggle but still consider themselves fortunate and content with life.
I don't care who you are or what kind of life you live. In the end, that is not what is important. All that Christ wants you to do is NOT GIVE UP. At times, we feel inadequate, unworthy, or overwhelmed. These are all common feelings. We are promised in the scriptures that our Father does not give us trials we cannot handle (1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.)
Even though this knowledge is comforting, there is the exception of times when we are faced with trials that result in us crashing down completely. If this is your case, get back up. You've been foreordained with the strength necessary to overcome whatever it is you are going through. One of the most frustrating things is to see people not utilize the spiritual strength they have been promised. If you struggle with addiction of any kind, you can and you will stop whatever it is that eats away at your spirit (if you have the desire and faith). If you are less active (for whatever reason) you need to be back where God wants you. Not later, now. Your blip is too short for you not to be in His presence. You can have that strength to get your foot back in the door. And if you lack the desire, humble yourself and strive for it. Put off the petty excuses and worldly desires. If you have been offended by anybody, pray for the strength to forgive. If you are simply struggling with any sort of trial, know He is there. When we go through certain hardships, we tend to question God. Well, stop questioning and start doing.
We are each given our individual trials because they are the ones that God knows will force us to utilize every bit of our strength. Don't back down. Not now. Fight and return with honor. Do whatever it takes to reach that celestial glory you have been promised. ( 2 Nephi 31:20Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.) When we sacrifice all we have, the Lord will provide. This has been revealed to us in the story of Elijah and the poor widow in 1 Kings Chapter 17 (I highly recommend you read this chapter today).
I say these things because they are the very things I have had to learn for myself this week. I underestimated how hard serving a mission really is. The only reason I am serving a mission is because I love my Father in Heaven and I know this is the work He wants me doing at ths time in my life. Of course my purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end" but I wouldn't be doing it if our Father in Heaven didn't care.
Just as I have to serve and overcome my trials by enduring as an elder, it is your responsibility to do the same. Figure out what it is that Heavenly Father wants you to be doing and do it (if you aren't already). There is no time to waste. I testify to you that I know our Father in Heaven personally. I know He has established a foundation and a church for all men and women to live by. If we but endure and follow His will during this "blip" of a time, the blessing we receive will be so great. There is much I don't know and much I don't understand. But these are the things I do know and that is enough for me. I just hope and pray it is enough for you too. Stay strong and fight the good fight. Whoever you are, know I love you. And better yet, know the Lord loves you. If I can find His strength, I know you can too.
Have a happy new year and Godspeed!
Elder Catchatoorian
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