A Fresh View Of Life
Be Fearless In The Pursuit of What Sets Our Souls On Fire!
One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the JOY of trying again and again; repentance or the ability to change. At the beginning of each year, most of us awaken to desires for a new and better life. We set goals and start on our New Year’s Resolutions. In our hearts, we are excited to know that life is going to change and everything is going to be so much better... only to completely forget our desires within a few months; and we only remember them when the New Year comes around again.
A BETTER WAY
What if there is a better way?
What if we were to hold off on making big changes and spend some time planning and organizing and doing some groundwork first so that when the time and season are right for change and transformation, we are spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically ready to take the steps we have planned and designed to take.
I talked a little bit, in my last blog, about times and seasons for all things. In Creation, we know that Father, Spiritually Created everything before He created it physically upon the earth. The winter season is when the earth is resting and spiritually preparing for the changes that need to happen for the growing and transforming season to bring a successful harvest.
In the Beginning, God showed us His divine pattern for Creation. God saw that there was chaos...a need for change, so He organized matter or chaos and separated water from land and light from dark. This was His time to Spiritually Organize the matter through thoughts, words, and feelings, and then, in time, He physically created plants, animals, and man.
Winter is when we need to spend time in our ‘drawing rooms’ and design a strategy for repenting and Overcoming; this is where we can draft a plan on how we can defeat the enemy, the weeds and tares that have come into our gardens of life. This is where we spend precious time and focus on planning and preparing, for the joy that will come with the glories of Spring.
Repentance Is A Gift - Not A Punishment
“None of us are perfect. Sometimes we get stuck. We get distracted or discouraged. We stumble. But if we look to Jesus Christ with a repentant heart, He will lift us up, cleanse us from sin, forgive us, and heal our hearts.” ~ Elder Kim B. Clark
No one wants to hear about their imperfections or that they need to repent and change their ways. But...when we truly understand that this isn’t a punishment, but a GIFT that will bring us back to our Heavenly Father, maybe we can soften our hearts a little and find that this path is JOY!
I love this quote from D. Todd Christofferson, “Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace. Rather than interrupting the celebration, the gift of repentance is the cause for true celebration.”
It probably seems like this is my ‘Soapbox Obsession’, because I often talk about REPENTANCE! I know that it’s hard to look at our shortcomings and make the changes that will improve our lives. My purpose this year is to help all of us engage in the one thing that will set our souls on fire and bring us the peace, fulfillment, and JOY that we are seeking...that is to embrace our Savior’s love and Atonement and Overcome that which keeps us from a life of JOY!
The Cause For True Celebration
A few years ago, I fell in love with the meaning of ‘Repentance’ that is found in the Bible Dictionary. It says repentance, “...denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world....repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this, there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation...”
I grew up thinking that repentance was a punishment for people that made bad choices. I feel like others have had the same thoughts and feelings. I’m hoping to paint a different picture of repentance or turning to God and see it for what it was intended to be...a Gift! God knew we would need help along our journey here on earth, so He gave us an extraordinary gift of love...Repentance. Whenever we see or hear this word, let’s Celebrate it and think in our minds, that what is really being said, is that we are ‘turning to God’.
Pursuing What Sets Our Souls On Fire!
Why is it so hard to pursue change, to repent [turn to God], or overcome the things that are undesirable? We all know we need to make changes or experience a transformation in our lives; to have the life we are promised by our Heavenly Father. How often do we look at others’ lives and desire to have the joy and happiness we see them experiencing? Why do we cringe when someone suggests that we should change a behavior or improve a relationship? Maybe we have a weakness that we secretly see, but are trying to ignore, hoping it will just go away. Joy and Celebration come when we repent [turn to God] and feel the peace of mind that comes with Overcoming!
Think of your garden spot as it is right now. There need to be some changes. Remember that the winter season is when the earth is resting and Spiritually Preparing for the changes that need to happen. We want to be successful with our New Year’s goals. The growing and transforming season will soon be a successful harvest if we plan and Prepare Spiritually. We, as well as our gardens, need to be ready to receive the seeds or seedlings, that we desire to plant and grow, to bring in a successful harvest.
Here, in Vernal Utah, we have to wait until the snow melts, then there needs to be some digging, to aerate the ground and stir in the mulch, remove old growth, and plan for sunlight, watering, and nutrients. It’s hard work, but necessary if we are to have a garden that thrives and fulfills all our needs.
Be Fearless
To wrap up our discussion, I encourage you to follow God’s process of creation and begin to plan and Prepare Spiritually. Take the time to clear your ground as you do the suggested steps below.
“This life is the time for men...[and women], to prepare to meet God.” Alma 34:32
Winter is our time and season to prepare for that moment. We think we have all the time in the world, which we do, but time is going so fast! Let’s ‘Be Fearless’ and not procrastinate the day of our repentance [turning to God]. Remember ‘Repentance Is A Gift’, use it to the fullest!
In my last Blog, I invited you to:
❦ Awaken - What is your discontent? What needs to be cleared out of your garden space for new plantings to thrive?
❦ Plan - What are the possibilities, and enhancements your heart yearns for, to create a more glorious Garden Haven?
❦ Prepare - What preparations and changes are needed before the planting and sowing of new seeds can begin?
Continue to let life be dormant or restful and take some time to focus on “what is”. As you reflect on the life you created for yourself through the year 2022, what behaviors, reactions, decisions or relationships would you like to Overcome or recreate? When we see “what is” we can better plan for “what can be.”
What do you desire to Harvest or Become in 2023? What do you lack? What can you do more? What do you need to Overcome in this life, so you can find the JOY that is being smothered out, because of the burdens we carry?
This preliminary work is important because in the next Blog we will talk about our Creator, His process, and the steps you can take to begin Creating your dream or desired life! We can’t plan new seedlings until the old has been moved out of the way; and our garden space is clear for new growth.
I invite you to feel the JOY of redemption!
Also continue to:
❦ Watch this website Beunshaken.com for new directions in my bi-weekly BLOG and enjoy the new products to help you become a productive caretaker for 2023.
❦ I would like to hear your thoughts, ideas, successes and setbacks so please make comments in the section provided. Let’s help one another! :)
❦ Caring is Sharing! Please share these BLOGs with those you know who could be seeking a change or transformation in their life. Help me to help them find their ‘Garden Haven’!
Until next time!
Love, Jeannie
