Feeling Gods Love [part two]
From a recent sacrament talk I wrote
Thought
Refocus. I have never felt at ease in open water; the ocean, lakes and even rivers provide ample opportunity for me to overcome my irrational fears. One such opportunity occurred this past summer during a paddle board trip on Summersville Lake with Cassandra. At one point I lost my focus, followed quickly by my balance and I fell off my paddle board into deep water.
I don’t think you’ve seen a man more quickly grasp a paddle board and heave themselves out of the water than I did at that moment. Thankfully I did not fall off again.
My fear of deep, open water only heightens my feelings as I read the account of Peter walking on the water. To find oneself sinking into a dark, stormy sea must have been terror inducing, even for an experienced fisherman. But Peter sank because he looked around, lost his focus on Jesus Christ, and started to fear.
It is very difficult for us to feel God’s love when we are filled with fear, terror, or anxiety, along with many other strong emotions. But amid the terror of sinking, Peter refocused on Jesus Christ and called out for his friend to save him. I am moved every time I read how Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand to rescue Peter.
Sometimes the reason we sink spiritually, emotionally, and mentally is we become focused on things other than Jesus Christ. Too often we allow our problems, real or imagined, to draw our attention away from doing the daily activities that help us to focus on Jesus Christ. When holy habits and righteous routines are neglected and go undone, we inadvertently turn our focus from Jesus Christ and we begin to sink.
President Nelson has taught that “The joy we feel has… everything to do with the focus of our lives” When that focus is Jesus Christ, we are able to feel God’s love more easily.
I am blessed to be married to a remarkable and righteous woman who, when seeing me begin to sink, reminds and encourages me to refocus on Christ and recommit to holy habits and righteous routines. She knows, and has helped me to learn how essential it is for us to rivet our focus on Jesus Christ, and how doing so opens our mind and heart to better feel God’s love.
Quote.
All men alike stand condemned, not by alien codes of ethics, but by their own, and all men therefore are conscious of guilt.
- C.S. Lewis (The Problem of Pain, pg. 11)
Idea.
Be generous to the slow people in front of you today.