Spiritual Transformation

There are lots of things we can do as children of God to become more like him, or in other words, "spiritually transformed." But what does that really mean? When I was younger, I thought there would be a time when I would reach my limit, where I would eventually have nothing left to perfect and I would be like God, but I realized that we are always going to be working towards that, and I believe that we will never stop progressing, even God is still progressing, and the absence of that progression, that is our own personal hell.

In church the other day, someone was giving a talk about this very topic, progression. He said something that really stuck with me. In so many words, this man said that it's not about how close we get to perfection in this life, it's more about how much effort we put it. We must always be constantly trying to perfect something in our lives, whether it's reading scriptures every day and praying fervently, or paying tithing and going to church.

If I decided today that I can stop trying to reach perfection just because I do most things right, doesn't mean that I can't improve. I might go to church every week, go to the Temple every month, pay my tithing faithfully, read my scriptures and pray daily, but that doesn't mean that there isn't something I can improve on.

I believe a "spiritual transformation" happens consistently throughout our lives, and there are always times when we need to do another check on our spirituality. I hope that I'm constantly changing things about myself that need to be changed, because, let's face it, there is always something I can improve on, something I can be better at. If there's something that the Prophet can do better, then I can do better too.

That they might have JOY...

I created this blog to give myself a more creative outlet to share my spiritual thoughts. Though others may or may not read it, I find that really this is for me, and for my own spiritual growth.

Today I'm thinking a lot about my best friend Shelby. She leaves tomorrow to report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah, and then will serve for 18 months in the Russia Moscow West Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm so excited for her and for the growth that she will have serving the Lord Jesus Christ. My friend Kimee is also leaving for the Brazil Manus Mission, and she reports to Brazil in August.

It has really been an eye opener for me, seeing these two wonderful people set their hearts on giving their time and talents and 18 months of their lives to the Lord. I myself wanted to do that very thing, but I decided to get married instead. :) I don't regret that, not at all. That was my path in life, and this is theirs.

For Shelby's birthday, I bought her a book by C.S. Lewis (him being one of my favorite authors as well as one of hers). It is a compilation of his writings on Heaven, called "Made for Heaven: And Why on Earth it Matters." I bought myself a copy as well, knowing that I would also enjoy it. In this book, Lewis quotes a favorite scripture of mine. Romans 8:18 - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." I've always loved this scripture, because it puts everything into perspective.

Shelby, being a convert to the church, has had a rough time from her family. Getting baptized was a hard decision for her, but as she recently said, the best decision. I also believe that she has made another "best decision" by going to serve the Lord in Russia. Through all the trials she's had to face, I know, and I know that she knows, that it's all worth it, for the glory which will be revealed in her.

However hard it may be to pass through this life, the trials that we all have, each unique to us but each difficult in their own way, we will soon be glorified for it. In her farewell talk today, my best friend quoted one of her favorite scriptures. 2 Nephi 2:25 - "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." The emphasis on "joy" of course has been added. I find this extremely telling. Our Father in Heaven wants us to have joy, he wants us to be eternally happy, and it's not just in the next life that we can feel that happiness, it is NOW. We can have joy now, and isn't that what everyone wants?

Shelby posed a question a few weeks ago when we went to the temple together, she asked "Why is it that we put such an emphasis on preaching the gospel, other than that we're commanded to, when everyone will have a chance to hear it in the next life?" She then answered her own question with this scripture. It is all about being happy, and being happy now. I keep thinking about all the people I know and love. What if I decided not to share the gospel with them? What if I decided that they wouldn't accept it now and I'd be embarrased or ruin my relationship with them? I wouldn't be damning them by any means, but I just imagine them finding me in the eternities and saying, "Why didn't you tell me sooner! I could have had this joy all along!" That is why we preach the gospel.

So, in conclusion, good luck my friends. Please know that I love and admire and respect you both. You are an inspiriation to me and I'm so happy for the people of Russia and Brazil, that they have two of the best sisters in the church to teach them about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. You will both be missed, but your service is so much more appreciated than anyone can say. I love you.