I’m trying to be better about writing...
so here is just something I’ve been stewing over the past few months.
So, Jesus Christ.
He has many titles, right?
Savior.
Redeemer.
Teacher.
Healer.
Peace-giver.
Prince of Peace.
Alpha and Omega.
The Great I Am.
Lord.
The Christ.
King of Kings.
Lord of Lords.
Bridgegroom
Deliverer.
God.
Son of Man.
Heir.
Advocate.
Etc.
Because He is all-knowing, all powerful, all-righteous... pretty much any noun that is a good thing is Jesus.
But there has always been one title that has been my absolute favorite;
Brother.
Jesus The Christ, the Deliverer is my Brother.
Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, is my Brother.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Prince of Peace is my Brother!
How cool is that?
How cool is the divinity of our family tree?
How cool is it, that Jesus, The Christ, that same KING that has been foreordained before the physical creation, is your Brother?
M. Russel Ballard has said, “What matters most is what lasts the longest. And families are forever”, implying that a because family is forever it is what matters most.
So what about this divine family I have? This Father who loves me enough to send his son in the flesh so I can return to Him.
What about this Brother who willing descended, obeyed, served, and suffered endlessly for me?
If it truly matters most to me (which it should), what am I doing about it?
How am I showing that it matters?
How am I cultivating the eternal relationships from the spotless beings that unconditionally love me?
I am so blown away at the concept that my Brother, your Brother, our neighbor’s Brother, is one that completely has my back as advocate and sufferer, yet still has the tender relationship as Brother.
Sparing the details, for months I felt distant from Jesus Christ. I knew-know- who He is. I never lost sight of His divinity, His existence. But the presence of any sort of relationship was basically non-existent. I didn’t feel I could pray. I didn’t feel I could repent. I couldn’t feel Him. And I was drowning because of it.
I tried to pull myself out of it. I tried to be my own Savior. **spoiler alert: it doesn’t work**
I’m not sure exactly when it was... but little by little the spirit entered into my heart. The words, “This is a refiner’s fire. Is it going to build you, or break you?” played over and over in my mind.
I felt this burning to desire to know Jesus Christ again. I felt this longing to have him as that confidant, best friend and Brother that I knew.
Like that sibling that lives on the other side of the world and you have little to no contact with... that was me. I tried to fill the void with things that are empty, cheap, and unfulfilling.
Sometimes... the desire is enough. Alma wasn’t lying. That desire CAN transform you.
So how do you and me cultivate the relationship that we each should have with the Savior?
Be there with your Brother. Be there in the temple. Be there in the scriptures, studying about his life. Be there in sacrament meeting when the emblems of his body and blood are torn and blessed. Be there in the little moments that remind you He loves you. Be there in the honesty of your prayers. Be there in the reality of the struggles. Be there.
If your relationship with Jesus Christ isn’t #1, it should be. My choices should be Jesus first. Because it matters most.
I am so far from perfect. My actions have a long way to go to be aligned with the desires of my heart to be a purified follower of Christ. But, it’s okay. Sister’s aren’t perfect. And I hope and I pray that my imperfections will be swallowed up in the Atonement the loving Christ. And as of now, I feel Jesus Christ. I’ve returned to the loving arms of a best friend who heals. A best friend who defends. A Brother. And I have more joy than I have had in a long time.
