Turn Your Face to Heaven

I sat down to write a a new blog a few days ago. I typed out a couple of sentences, but after thinking about the things I wanted to say, I deleted them. Deciding that some things were too personal to share.

But here I am now, wanting to share with you the other thoughts that have been in my head begging to be released.

Over the past two Sunday's or so, we have had lessons on adversity. Our Sunday School lesson focused on it two weeks ago. Our talks in Sacrament Meeting visited the subject again today.

If you will, let me share my own ideas. My thoughts on the subject are this:

I picture myself standing next to the Savior at the end of my life. We review my life together and hopefully I don't get into too much trouble. I've pictured this scenario in my mind a few times. When the Savior turns to me and says "Well Amanda, how do you think you did? Tell me what you learned". I don't want to look back on my life and say...."That was a breeze. I got everything I wanted, didn't shed a tear, was never lonely and just plain had a good time".

Instead I hope to honestly say, "There were times when I didn't think I would make it. The world was pressing down on me so forcefully that I thought I would drown in the turmoil. But when I was pressed down, I found myself on my knees, and that's when You were beside me. There were times when I felt alone, but then when I asked You to, You came to me. I felt sadness only to recognize it's opposite in Joy! I learned so much through my trials, they brought me closer to You and the Father. I learned to have faith and trust in Thee. "

In this months Ensign there is an article about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail. Midway through the article written by Elder Holland, there is this quote:

"..when we promise to follow the Savior, to walk in His footsteps, and be His disciples, we are promising to go where that divine path leads us. And the path of salvation has always led one way or another through Gethsemane. So if the Savior faced such injustices and discouragements, such persecutions, unrighteousness, and suffering we cannot expect that we are not going to face some of that if we still intend to call ourselves His true disciples and faithful followers."

Each of us at some point will face our own personal Gethsemane. Every picture that portrays the Savior in Gethsemane, shows Him with His face turned toward heaven. As our example in all things, He gives us the key to enduring and overcoming our own trials. It is to turn our faces from to world and look to heaven as our source of strength.

I'm getting better at it, but I still have a lot to learn!