Do you ever feel clumsy? I do too.
Financial fears, economic obstacles, and commandments I just can’t seem to keep are just the beginning. The list of self-deprecating sentiments goes on.
I’m just not good enough. I fall so far short. I’ll never measure up. I just can’t do it alone.
To that I say, “Exactly. You are absolutely correct.” None of us is good enough. We all fall short and can never measure up on our own. But that is the beauty of the doctrine of Christ, which provides a perfect brightness of hope in Jesus Christ now in this time and eternal joy in the world to come.
I have said it before and I will say it again: this life is not about our attaining perfection. This life is all about humility. If we assume that the goal of this period of our existence is to become perfect, no wonder we are depressed and experience low self-worth and a lack of confidence. We will never attain perfection without Him. We realize that now so we can do the things He asks and qualify for His willingness to redeem us despite our many imperfections. As we exhibit our need for and desire to seek God’s help, Jesus Christ influences our lives for good and makes out of us something we cannot do alone. But what He asks of us now is not only possible, it is assured if we follow Him.
Our lives are filled with situations that we just can’t seem to manage or succeed at and risks that weaken our confidence, but our status with God need not be one of them. We can know now that we have the security of a successful life and a desired outcome beyond our wildest imaginations. It’s that good.
Do you really think He would put us here on earth without any means of determining our status before God? It is true that without Him, we cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God. Prophets have consistently testified of this universal need and documented this truth many times over.
“And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives” (Mosiah 5:8).
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But it is also true that united with Jesus Christ, we are powerful beyond our understanding. We are limited. He is infinite. We are sinful. He is perfect. We are weak. He is all-powerful. Of course we feel inadequate when tasked with the commission of attaining perfection. But don’t forget, the great plan of happiness is His creation, not ours. He prepared it for grand success, which is ours if we are willing to follow Him and accept the gift He has already won for us.
Imitations are all around us, but the truth is even better than the insinuated counterfeits. God’s works always exceed the fake copies of the adversary.
“I testify of that very Jesus, who Himself continued ‘from grace to grace’ until He received in His immortality a perfect fullness of celestial glory. I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents” (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually,” October 2017).
No. You can’t do it alone, and neither can I. Gratefully, we all depend on the Savior.
There is no other name given, except that of Jesus Christ, through whom we can have this most wonderful of blessings. The goodness begins today—and because of Him, it can last for eternity.
“And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17).
And that is something worth shouting about.
“A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand. A phone call from a friend, just to say they understand”—such are the words of a favorite song in my day.
We are not alone. I see His hand throughout my life. It manifests itself every day. I recognize His guidance in both my current activities and with keen hindsight.
And so can you.
In 1989, Walter Penning formed a consultancy based in Salt Lake City and empowered his clients by streamlining processes and building a loyal, lifetime customer base with great customer service. His true passion is found in his family. He says the best decision he ever made was to marry his sweetheart and have children. The wonderful family she has given him and her constant love, support, and patience amid life's challenges is his panacea.
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Wonderful wonderful and uplifting of hope. It rings true. Thank you.