STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS

 

I have come to see what an advantage it is to live on this planet of suffering. The worse it gets, the more uncomfortable we should feel. The more unhappiness we experience here, the more we will long for our true home.

If this life was a life of ease, plenty, and perfection, we would be quite satisfied to live in the telestial world forever and would not yearn for things of a better. We would not seek God and we would not make an effort to return to Him.

When we reach the point where we feel that we do not belong here, we are in good company. We are, like the ancients who feared and loved God, strangers and pilgrims on this earth (D&C 45:11-13; Jacob 7:26; Hebrews 11:4-13). A clear reminder to us that we should not get too comfortable here because we do not belong here.

To be cut off from the presence of God is the greatest tragedy there is. Cain considered his banishment from His presence more than he could bear (Genesis 4:13,14).

I think the Saviour knew in the beginning what it means to be cut off from Father’s presence forever. This is why He yearned to save us from this devastation, hence so much emphasis on the sheep that are ‘lost’.

How many tears will be shed on judgment day by ‘the lost’ when God’s presence is denied to them forever? Imagine how joyful will be some who enter His presence, to finally be home once again.

When the world gets you down, look up.

 

Some days You seem so near

And some days so far.

I long to see Your face,

To walk the clouds with You

With poise and godly grace.

 

I know You are there

Keeping at bay the darkness of despair

And gifting me memories of You

To fill the loneliness that I tearfully bear.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Artist Unknown)