Peace Like a River
Love, joy, peace, the sweetest of all the emotions. What many men yearn for, and never attain.
Feelings that seem fleeting at times, and yet at others seem ever present. What do they all have in
common? They are fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They aren’t fruits of going through the motions,
or giving a half hearted attempt every once in a while. They are fruits of the gospel when we pour our
whole heart and soul into it. When we give our whole self, God gives us the greatest feelings and gifts
in return.
Feelings that seem fleeting at times, and yet at others seem ever present. What do they all have in
common? They are fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They aren’t fruits of going through the motions,
or giving a half hearted attempt every once in a while. They are fruits of the gospel when we pour our
whole heart and soul into it. When we give our whole self, God gives us the greatest feelings and gifts
in return.
When I think back on my life, on the times that I have truly felt these things, I am so grateful for
those experiences and I yearn to have them again. Going to visit an Elderly woman in an old folks
home, looking into her eyes and feeling the warmth of her spirit, the gratitude in her heart and the
love her father in heaven has for her. The joy of seeing a friend succeed in overcoming their struggles
and afflictions, after months of help and sacrifice in their behalf. The peace that comes after doing
everything we can, turning it over to the Lord, and then reflecting on the omniscience and
omnipotence of God.
those experiences and I yearn to have them again. Going to visit an Elderly woman in an old folks
home, looking into her eyes and feeling the warmth of her spirit, the gratitude in her heart and the
love her father in heaven has for her. The joy of seeing a friend succeed in overcoming their struggles
and afflictions, after months of help and sacrifice in their behalf. The peace that comes after doing
everything we can, turning it over to the Lord, and then reflecting on the omniscience and
omnipotence of God.
These are all experiences we thirst for, yet they seem to be so allusive. The actions to get there
seem so clear cut, yet we are reluctant to do what it takes. Be selfless, humble, and obedient, at
times these seem to be the most noble and desirable qualities we can attain to. Our souls sing and
we desire with all our hearts to attain to a higher plain. At others they seem repulsive, our souls
become sluggish, and we balk at the thought of swallowing our own pride and desires.
seem so clear cut, yet we are reluctant to do what it takes. Be selfless, humble, and obedient, at
times these seem to be the most noble and desirable qualities we can attain to. Our souls sing and
we desire with all our hearts to attain to a higher plain. At others they seem repulsive, our souls
become sluggish, and we balk at the thought of swallowing our own pride and desires.
As I reflect on this myself, I can’t help but think of how split my own personality can be. Truly at
times, all that I want is to be better, to do more, to give more. And at others it’s the last thing I want
to do. I turn inwards, think of myself, and sour in my own wants and desires.
times, all that I want is to be better, to do more, to give more. And at others it’s the last thing I want
to do. I turn inwards, think of myself, and sour in my own wants and desires.
And thus we see the wisdom of daily personal prayer and scripture study, regular personal reflection
and contemplation. Without these daily checks, we allow ourselves to “wander off and [get] lost”
(1 Nephi 8:24). Never have I seen so clearly that without these daily checks we are sure to lose our
way. The Word of God truly is the Iron Rod, and is absolutely necessary to our navigating this mortal
life safely. The Book of Mormon and our modern prophets have repeatedly given the counsel to
partake from the scriptures daily. I am so grateful for this counsel.
and contemplation. Without these daily checks, we allow ourselves to “wander off and [get] lost”
(1 Nephi 8:24). Never have I seen so clearly that without these daily checks we are sure to lose our
way. The Word of God truly is the Iron Rod, and is absolutely necessary to our navigating this mortal
life safely. The Book of Mormon and our modern prophets have repeatedly given the counsel to
partake from the scriptures daily. I am so grateful for this counsel.
In the modern world we have become so reliant on GPS to navigate from one place another. In fact,
I almost can’t get anywhere without my GPS. In the old days people used a map and compass, and
even before that people travelled by the stars. These instruments, a GPS, a compass, and the stars,
were used to give bearing; they would show where one was at, and what direction one needed to go
to reach their desired destination. On a long journey the navigator would consult often with his map
and compass to be sure the group was on course, he would check to avoid any dangers that might lie
in the their path, and even to see the distance they still had left to travel. When I travel, I am glued to
my GPS, without it I would be hopelessly lost. I rely on it for every turn. Each time I need to take a
turn I get a polite prompt telling me which direction to head and how far until the next turn. How could
we think for one minute, that in this journey of life we too would not need to consistently stop and get
our bearing? We must. We must stop and get our bearing. We must reflect on what direction we are
headed, where we want to go, and the steps we must take to get there. This journey of life is even
more complicated than a road trip, or a trek across the plains. There are so many distractions and
detours, there are so many options shouting for our attentions, neon signs flashing and hormonal
swings pulling. Daily habits of scripture study, prayer and personal reflection are the checkpoints, the
iron rod, or the GPS promptings to direct us on the course. As President Monson has often quoted
from Alison in Wonderland, it only matters what direction we take, if we know where we want to go.
I believe every one of us has some sort of idea of where we want to go, so don’t fly blind, use a road
map, and navigate your way safely to your final destination. Anyone that thinks they can do otherwise
is misguided, blinded by the mist of darkness that shrouds the path that leading to peace in this life
and eternal life in the world to come.
I almost can’t get anywhere without my GPS. In the old days people used a map and compass, and
even before that people travelled by the stars. These instruments, a GPS, a compass, and the stars,
were used to give bearing; they would show where one was at, and what direction one needed to go
to reach their desired destination. On a long journey the navigator would consult often with his map
and compass to be sure the group was on course, he would check to avoid any dangers that might lie
in the their path, and even to see the distance they still had left to travel. When I travel, I am glued to
my GPS, without it I would be hopelessly lost. I rely on it for every turn. Each time I need to take a
turn I get a polite prompt telling me which direction to head and how far until the next turn. How could
we think for one minute, that in this journey of life we too would not need to consistently stop and get
our bearing? We must. We must stop and get our bearing. We must reflect on what direction we are
headed, where we want to go, and the steps we must take to get there. This journey of life is even
more complicated than a road trip, or a trek across the plains. There are so many distractions and
detours, there are so many options shouting for our attentions, neon signs flashing and hormonal
swings pulling. Daily habits of scripture study, prayer and personal reflection are the checkpoints, the
iron rod, or the GPS promptings to direct us on the course. As President Monson has often quoted
from Alison in Wonderland, it only matters what direction we take, if we know where we want to go.
I believe every one of us has some sort of idea of where we want to go, so don’t fly blind, use a road
map, and navigate your way safely to your final destination. Anyone that thinks they can do otherwise
is misguided, blinded by the mist of darkness that shrouds the path that leading to peace in this life
and eternal life in the world to come.
Regular habits that build our foundation on the lord bring peace that flows like a river. As we are
diligent and consistent a peace will pervade our life, and we will come to know the Lord. Each day
as we get our bearings, it will be as if we are looking at a map to the great beyond, seeing our final
destination, and counselling with the one that knows how to get there.
diligent and consistent a peace will pervade our life, and we will come to know the Lord. Each day
as we get our bearings, it will be as if we are looking at a map to the great beyond, seeing our final
destination, and counselling with the one that knows how to get there.
The peace the gospel brings is impossible to gain any other way. What brings peace is knowing that
God is in control. He has all power, he has all knowledge, and he loves us. If we are loyal and true to
him, we have nothing to fear. Even when we mess up, he has given his son to show that he wants us
back, and nothing we do cannot be repented of. When I take time to contemplate this fact, I am so
grateful, I am humbled in gratitude. So often I get wrapped up, worrying about X, or stressing about Y,
but if I will just take time to stop and think - I have a loving God, that knows me, that cares about me,
that has all power and has worked countless miracles in the past... Things must be alright. What ever
is happening, it must be for my betterment, and I can get through it.
God is in control. He has all power, he has all knowledge, and he loves us. If we are loyal and true to
him, we have nothing to fear. Even when we mess up, he has given his son to show that he wants us
back, and nothing we do cannot be repented of. When I take time to contemplate this fact, I am so
grateful, I am humbled in gratitude. So often I get wrapped up, worrying about X, or stressing about Y,
but if I will just take time to stop and think - I have a loving God, that knows me, that cares about me,
that has all power and has worked countless miracles in the past... Things must be alright. What ever
is happening, it must be for my betterment, and I can get through it.
I want it to be known in public writing that I have seen miracles in my own life. I have seen the arm of
the Lord revealed. I know it with all my whole soul, as surely as I live. Answers to prayers that couldn't
have happened in any other way, except the Lord being present in my life. The scriptures are rife
with incredible experiences, and I know they are true because I have seen similar experiences of my
own. In fact I feel very strongly, where I am at in my life right now, this very day, is a miracle. The job I
have, the people I am around, it's a miracle, and I know it was by the hand of the Lord that I am here,
because it was one crooked path to get here. I'm not going to share my entire life story right now, and
things can change with the snap of a finger, but the past year has been a wild ride, and there were
many times that I thought "Why is it happening this way?" Now I know, and I am grateful. Without
consistently checking my bearings, it would have been so easy to get lost. I am profoundly grateful
for the commandment to read from the scriptures daily. Without it, I would be lost in crooked paths.
With it, I can navigate all things, having peace that God is at the helm.
the Lord revealed. I know it with all my whole soul, as surely as I live. Answers to prayers that couldn't
have happened in any other way, except the Lord being present in my life. The scriptures are rife
with incredible experiences, and I know they are true because I have seen similar experiences of my
own. In fact I feel very strongly, where I am at in my life right now, this very day, is a miracle. The job I
have, the people I am around, it's a miracle, and I know it was by the hand of the Lord that I am here,
because it was one crooked path to get here. I'm not going to share my entire life story right now, and
things can change with the snap of a finger, but the past year has been a wild ride, and there were
many times that I thought "Why is it happening this way?" Now I know, and I am grateful. Without
consistently checking my bearings, it would have been so easy to get lost. I am profoundly grateful
for the commandment to read from the scriptures daily. Without it, I would be lost in crooked paths.
With it, I can navigate all things, having peace that God is at the helm.
One last thing to add. Sometimes we may feel our scripture study is stale.
How many times have I read this chapter? What am I getting from this? That is why pondering
and applying the scriptures to our lives is so important. It’s not about just reading the scriptures, it’s
communing with the Lord. Reading from the scriptures and the words of the modern day prophets
brings the spirit and teaches us patterns of how God works with his children,
but pondering those words is how we can learn the application in our own life. Search,
Ponder and Pray. Commune with the Lord.
How many times have I read this chapter? What am I getting from this? That is why pondering
and applying the scriptures to our lives is so important. It’s not about just reading the scriptures, it’s
communing with the Lord. Reading from the scriptures and the words of the modern day prophets
brings the spirit and teaches us patterns of how God works with his children,
but pondering those words is how we can learn the application in our own life. Search,
Ponder and Pray. Commune with the Lord.
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