This weekend I was privileged to spend several hours learning about Jesus Christ. At a church meeting for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons,) we devoted all our attention to that Savior Who is the center of our religion, our faith, and our lives.
Jesus Christ is as the hub of the great wheel of our lives. He is at the center, the core, of all that we do. As Nephi, the Book of Mormon prophet declared:
“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26.)
Those few hours I spent learning more about the Savior have filled my heart with joy. I can truly say that I feel to “rejoice in Christ.”
To rejoice in Him means that we go forth in life with a generally happy outlook that reflects our faith in our Savior. We know that as we follow Him and do those things that He has asked us to do, He will bless us with His comfort and His grace.
In his article, “Mom, Are We Christians?” Gary J. Coleman wrote:
“We know that “his grace is sufficient” for us to be redeemed from death and sin and to be perfected in Him (see Moroni 10:32–33). While we face disappointments and even tragedies, we know that because of Him, our eternal happiness is assured. As our faith in Jesus Christ shines through, we show others who “labour and are heavy laden” how to find rest in Him (see Matthew 11:28–30)” (Ensign, May 2007, 92–94.)
The Savior Jesus Christ is as a Light to the world. He guides us and shows us the way we should go to obtain eternal life and happiness. His offer to bear our burdens gives us hope that we don’t have to face our challenges alone and in fact, there is a caring Friend who is willing to share our burden—to carry it all, in fact, if we will let Him.
If we will put Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, and let all other priorities stem from Him, then our lives will run smoothly and we will find joy within them.
Imagine a giant wagon wheel—the hub is large and solid, and all the spokes join the wheel in that center and move outward to attach to the rim. Imagine those spokes represent our families, our careers, our hobbies or interests, our friends. If one of those spokes were to break or fall out, the wheel would still function as it was meant to—it would continue to go round and round without faltering. However, if the hub were to somehow be broken, or it was not well formed or solid, then there would be nothing to retain the spokes and the wheel would fall apart.
I testify that if you will put Jesus Christ at the center of your lives and allow all other interests and priorities to stem from Him, then your life will have order and you will be blessed. Rejoice in the Lord your Savior. Remember Him in all that you do. He will bless your efforts and you will have joy.
