Sudden honking overhead stopped me in my tracks as I scanned the sky to find the geese nearby. I turned and watched them fly by in cohesive motion, squawking amongst themselves as they headed to their evening resting place.
Back at home, I watched a squirrel in the backyard gathering treasures. It ran up a tree with a mouthful and disappeared from view.
I’m fascinated by how creatures follow their inborn instinct. How do the Canadian geese know to fly thousands of miles to Lubbock, Texas? How do squirrels know to hoard their treasures for winter?
Do we have inborn instincts? What do those instincts lead us to do?
Wherefore, men are according to the ; and things are them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to and eternal , through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be like unto himself.
from The Chosen’s The Shepherd
The Shepherd
My favorite scene of this Christmas season was from The Chosen‘s short nativity film The Shepherd.
The backstory: A lame shepherd took a spotless lamb to Bethlehem, but along the way, and unbeknownst to the shepherd, the lamb was injured. The Pharisee who purchased unblemished lambs derided the shepherd and basically tossed him out of town, threatening to ban the shepherds’ future sales. Annoyed and frustrated, his fellow shepherds leave him to wend his way back alone.
During his time in town are moments where the shepherd seeks to learn more about the Messiah. He asks the Pharisee who mocks his desire to learn and refuses to talk about the Messiah. He hears someone reading the Torah and steps inside to hear but is quickly asked to leave.
Soon after he returns to the flock, the angel appears with the glorious news of the Christchild’s birth. Joy spreads across the shepherd’s face and he begins running as fast as he can with his crutch. Clearly, his only and pure intent is to reach the Messiah.
from The Shepherd
The scene switches to Mary who labors to deliver her Son. When we see the shepherd again, his strength visibly increases. He drops the now unneeded crutch as he joyfully runs unimpeded to the manger.
from The Shepherd
All Things Are Given Them Which Are Expedient
What am I doing with “ things are them which are expedient?” Am I running, despite physical limitations and without distractions, to the Messiah’s presence? Does finding at-one-ment with Him fill my soul with joy?
All things are given them which are expedient. That means that in my circumstances and situation, with my limitations and weakness, regardless of my past, present, or apparent future, I can “choose and eternal , through the great Mediator of all men,” and through Him, I can find it.
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I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have moved 64 times and have not tired of experiencing this beautiful earth! I love the people, languages, histories/anthropologies, & especially religious cultures of the world. My life long passion is the study & searching out of religious symbolism, specifically related to ancient & modern temples. My husband Anthony and I love our bulldog Stig, adventures, traveling, movies, motorcycling, and time with friends and family.
