Is this post late? Yes, extremely. But it’s going up because I feel that no matter what I have to share, even if it isn’t very eloquent, is what you all need to hear.
I’m pretty new to this whole “sharing the gospel” thing. It sounds a little daunting- at least to me. When I adopted the goal to share my thoughts weekly, I was overwhelmed with images of missionaries dressed in church clothes, me smiling and expertly teaching a lesson fit for Sunday School, and scriptures that have been perfectly annotated and marked, like I am some sort of scripture scholar.
If I’m being honest, I couldn’t see myself in any of those scenarios.
Because I do believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I study His scriptures. I teach when I can. But it felt to me like all of this didn’t fit the stereotype of a girl sharing the gospel. I was imagining a perfect teacher, and then there was me with just a notebook full of silly little thoughts. Surely that wasn’t what God intended me to share, right?
Suffice it to say, I’ve spent a lot of time staring blankly into space, wondering how on Earth I could share the gospel in a format that would touch people. So, I have a blog. Okay, what do I do with that? My strange, vivid thoughts and interpretations of the scriptures couldn’t possibly help anyone, could they?
Yesterday, my perspective changed.
It was Sunday- the day of rest, the day of the Lord. I was cleaning the kitchen and listening to the hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. The arrangement I was listening to (I’ll link it at the end) especially feels joyous to me, and helps me praise my Savior in such a sacred way. I felt happy as I reflected on my Savior- “incarnate Deity” and yet my loving Friend (words in quotes are copied from the hymn). I wished that everyone could feel the joy I felt as I praised Him, and know Him as I do.
That’s when it hit me- that is what I am meant to share.
In all my worrying about not sharing the Gospel correctly, I had forgotten what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. The word “gospel” can actually translate into a word that means “good news”.
And what is the good news? That Jesus Christ lives! He is our Savior and our Redeemer! He is alive and real, He has the power to move mountains, and He can move the mountains within us.
And not only that- because He is real, we have someone to talk to whenever we have a hard day, or a good day, or a day that just kind of feels meh. And He will listen to us as we talk to Him, better than anyone else on this earth can.
Because Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins, pains, and afflictions in the Garden of Gethsemane, He knows exactly what we are going through at any given time on an individual level. If you are stressed out over a test, He feels that. If you’re so sick you can’t get out of bed, He feels that. If you don’t know how on Earth you could believe any of these things I’m typing are true- guess what?- He feels that, too.
Isn’t that incredible?
This is the best news I could ever share. As I draw closer to Jesus Christ, I feel happier than I do anywhere else.
Some may say that the standards I follow are “restricting” or “weird” or “confusing”, but to me they are the exact opposite. Those standards are what keep me with my Savior! Those standards open me up to the endless blessings He is pouring down. In the very same moment I am doubting my worth as I stand in the House of God, it all melts away as I act in faith- choosing to read my scriptures, or choosing to do a little more family history work, or simply choosing to be still. The truth of the matter is, we always belong in the arms of our loving Older Brother, no matter who we are. Satan is the one who will tell you that you aren’t welcome here. I promise you, you are welcome.
So, I am not a perfect “scripture scholar”. I’m certainly not your ideal missionary. I’m just a girl with a blog and a whole lot of joy in her heart- and that’s okay.
God might be perfect, and His gospel might be perfect, but people aren’t. People mess up on a daily basis. He isn’t oblivious to that fact. He just wants us to try again- and again, and again.
This is how I share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I share what brings me joy! Following Jesus and living as He would have me live brings me so much joy, and I want everyone to feel that joyful as well.
So. Here’s to being courageous, and here’s to many more of these posts to come!
Blissfully yours,
-Emma
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