Jesus is Coming, Look Busy!

Introduction

{Acknowledged my Facebook friends who were there}

 I invited my Facebook friends to come and hear me speak today. I told them the topic was “Jesus is coming, look busy”.  That’s not quite my topic, but it might be close. {I thought it was funny the opening song was “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel”, quite appropriate for my subject to look busy}. Haha.

Part One

In a lesson a few weeks ago we were talking about the parable of the lost sheep, and how precious all of God’s children are to him.  How he would leave the ninety and nine, and go forth looking for the one. It was easy for me to accept this idea for each of you, but not so easy when I turned it inward and looked at myself. I thought, “Why would I be precious to my Heavenly Father?”  Knowing my own weaknesses and faults, I really didn’t consider myself to be very precious. Wondering what precious means I looked up the definition. Webster defines precious as “Something of great value, not to be wasted or treated carelessly.”  It says in the Bible your soul is precious in his sight. We are precious to Him.

I studied and prayed about it a lot this week, and came to the conclusion our value doesn’t really change in the eyes of God. We are precious to him now, in this moment, wherever we stand.  I hope this idea isn’t offensive to anyone. I understand the value of a righteous person, and the blessings one can receive, but from God’s standpoint each of us is of infinite worth. His love is described as unconditional, a concept very difficult for us humans to understand. Everything here in this world is based on conditions. His love, however, is not. Our worth, being precious, doesn’t change because of our actions.

Cindy has a work of art on her dresser that states this profound idea, “Embrace this truth; that you are worthy, and you are enough, just as you are, imperfections and all”.  Isn’t that a profound thought, that maybe, just maybe we are enough, and precious, just the way we are today. Not increasing in value as we progress, not decreasing in value as we slip, but precious, always precious in His sight. Remember, the Lord said “My grace is sufficient for thee”.  (Grace is an enabling power that makes up the difference between where we are, and where we need to be in God’s eyes).

Part Two

The Lord is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s a wonderful thing to have strengths, and part of our mortal life to have weaknesses. 

Ether 12:27 If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

I love that the Lord says, “I will make weak things become strong”.  Did he say Tom would make them strong? No. He said he will facilitate the change. He gives us weaknesses, and he will remove them if it’s his will.  It’s possible he removes them when we no longer need them. Some weaknesses we will never overcome in this world, unfortunately.  Paul described it this way in Corinthians 12:7-9.

7 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

I went to the dictionary to try and understand these words. I was again surprised to find both strengths and weaknesses described as a “quality” or a “characteristic”. One is judged to be beneficial, and the other is judged to be a fault. If you are like me, I am endlessly patient with others. But I’m trying to learn to be just as compassionate and patient with myself too.

President Peter F. Uchtdorf said, “Our journey towards perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey”.

Part Three

I joked early on about my topic being “Jesus is coming, look busy”.  Sometimes we view the gospel as a long list of tasks that I must add to an already long to-do list. We sometimes focus on the “what” and the “how” of the gospel, and forget the more vital aspect of the “why”.  The “what” and the “how” of the gospel are important, but the fire and majesty of the gospel springs from your “why”. Once you understand your “why” it will transform the mundane into something majestic. It will change your small acts of kindness into acts of consecration. –taken with liberties from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk “Forget Me Not” October 2011 General Conference. 

I can’t define your “why”, only you can do that.  But you should search out and find your why.

Part Four

I believe our vulnerabilities, or weaknesses, are what connect us as humans. We are all broken, or flawed in some way, and knowing this helps bring healing, and gives hope to others who are struggling. Our brokenness can bring us closer to each other, if we trust and can overcome the social aspects of church and actually make ourselves a little vulnerable.

When I was a new convert to the church I wrongfully assumed I was the only one with problems. Looking around I saw a lot of great people, but I knew about my own weaknesses. I made the mistake of comparing my weaknesses against their strengths. Something that can make you very discouraged.

I am convinced the Lord loves you and me, not in spite of our weaknesses, but because of them.  Again, Christ says “I give men and women weaknesses so they will be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all who humble themselves before me and have faith in me”.

I’m sure some people in this room are uncomfortable being described as broken. I thought it was interesting that Webster defines broken as “having given up all hope”.  In the Old Testament times God’s people offered up sacrifices to reach atonement or forgiveness. The Lord has told us in our time to offer a sacrifice to him, and that sacrifice is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  The word contrite means feelings of remorse. So the Lord asks us to give up hope in our own selves and our own power, feel remorse for our sins, and accept the atonement offered to us through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Whatever your circumstances today, please remember this. You are precious. The Lord loves you in an unconditional way you don’t fully understand.  He knows your weaknesses, and loves you, not in spite of those weaknesses, but because of them.  Be present; don’t live in the past or the future. Treat everyone you encounter with kindness.

Walk out of here today like a shepherd, make a connection with someone, offer comfort and forgiveness to your younger self, and don’t forget to look busy, really busy, because Jesus is coming.