SINS

 

Be Happy by Greg Collins

Like a bird in flight

My sins ascend to Thee;

Rising from the ashes of mortality,

They seek Thy love to set them free

That I might happy be. 

- Cathryne Allen 

ON JOY AND SORROW

 

Acquainted with Grief by Jenedy Paige

“He wept – He who had descended below all things, the Man of Sorrows, He who bore all our griefs. The heights of His infinite capacity for joy is the inverse, mirror image of the depth of His capacity to bear our burdens.

“So it is with the enlarged caverns of feeling within our own hearts; as the sorrows of our lives carve and stretch those caverns, they expand our soul’s capacity for joy. Then, when the Man of Sorrows turns our bitter tastes to sweet, our joy – and His – will fill the widened chambers of our hearts with what the scriptures call ‘fulness’. That is when we have accepted His Atonement and love with such completeness that His purpose for us is fully satisfied.

“Then will we know that we were made for this. Then will we know where, and why, and to whom, we belong. “For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with gladness (Psalm 107:9).

-          Bruce C. Hafen, “The Belonging Heart”, p 315) 

KAHLIL GIBRAN ON JOY AND SORROW:

Then a woman said, Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow.

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow”, and others say, “Nay, sorrow is greater.” But I say to you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily, you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise to fall.

-          Kahlil Gibran, “The Prophet – A Timeless Masterpiece”

 

THE PATH OF OPPOSITION

 

“The ultimate purpose of the Atonement [of Jesus Christ] is to ensure our happiness and joy. But the Lord achieves that purpose in our lives through the interaction of conflicting forces that, at first, seem determined to rob us of the joy we seek. Paradoxically, our purest joy emerges from the natural tension between those opposing forces.”  (Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Broken Heart” p 63)

We often think that opposition in this life which befalls us is arbitrary because we are living in a world of opposites but I had an insight the other day into the process of opposition and its role in our lives. I realised that all the opposition I have been through that marred my happiness is everything that I was intolerant of before it showed up in my life.

This opposition came in the form of trials which I now understand had no aim to destroy my happiness and make me miserable but to test my resolve to adhere to the truth in the midst of my emotional distress. That was its primary purpose. I could see when I understood this that all the opposition we are confronted with in our lives is not random and is tailored to us personally. It has to be opposite to our personal values, ideals and plans for it to be a test.

I know for a fact that my reality does in no way resemble that idealistic view I once had of myself and my life. In fact, my life ended up being the very opposite of what I had once imagined. I know there are people in the world who have the life they have always wanted so I presume they are tested differently but I know we are all on testing ground in some way. And sometimes the ease of life can be a testing ground too. It makes some of us forget God.

Consider Job and his experience with opposition:

Job was “a perfect and an upright man, one that feared God and eschewed evil” (Job 2:3). His love for God was beyond fault. Job’s service to his fellowman was incredibly impressive (Job 4:3; 4:4; 29:12;13; 29:1516); 31:32). In short, Job was righteous, did good continually, was incredibly respected in the community and he was fabulously wealthy. You could say, his life was perfect. Then came the opposition to that picture perfect life.

 

Job went from the pinnacle of society to living in rags on the outskirts of the city, in constant pain, not understanding what has happened to him. He went from a picture of perfection to being disfigured with boils, and worms and maggots were bred in his sores (7:5). He ended up living outside the city on the refuse heap where outcasts and lepers lived. (7:14). Whereas, everyone in his community honoured him before, he suddenly became an outcast.  

 

He who had loved God beyond reproach felt that God had forsaken him ((19:6,7-13); His friends scorned him (Job 16:20), he became estranged from his wife who told him to curse God and die (Job 2:9; 19:17); he lost his friends and  respect of his servants (19:14-16); young children despised him and mocked him (19:18); and everyone he loved turned against him (19:19). In other words, all that was good in his life turned opposite.

 

This is my theory. The greater you are, the greater the tests of opposition. The test has to equal the stature of the man or it is not a test. If your life is particularly difficult and it is not in consequence of your own making through sin, be comforted, you are among the greats!

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Path to Light by Ivan Guaderrama)

THE NATURE OF HAPPINESS

 

When we think of the nature of God we usually reflect on the godly attributes such as love, compassion, mercy, righteousness, perfection. God has other characteristics though that we don’t remember from our time with Him. Consider the profound insight of President Heber C. Kimball :

“I am perfectly satisfied that my Father and my God is a cheerful, pleasant, lively and good-natured Being. Why? Because I am cheerful, pleasant, lively, and good-natured when I have His Spirit. That is one reason why I know, and another is – the Lord said, through Joseph Smith, “I delight in a glad heart and a cheerful countenance.” That arises from the perfection of His attributes. He is a jovial, lively person, and a beautiful man. (In Journal of Discourses 4:222)

“The plan of happiness, which is spoken about so often in the Church today, comes from a “Man of Happiness” as well as a “Man of Holiness”. Our developing faith comes as we understand better the purpose of the scriptures, and that is to teach us the nature of a saved being, he who beckons us to become like Him.”  (Jerry A. Wilson, “The Great Plan of Happiness-Insights From the Lectures on Faith” p 37)

I once posted a picture of Jesus laughing that enraged one sister who thought that was very disrespectful. She said she could imagine Jesus smiling but not laughing. Yes, He was a Man of Sorrows but I am hoping that His life was not all misery. He had a family who loved Him. He had friends and followers who adored Him. He must have had moments of laughter and joy.

It is amazing to me that some of us do not believe that God the Father and His Son have the full spectrum of emotions. I love to laugh and I am hoping that there will be lots of laughter in eternity.

I am pretty convinced we lived in a state of happiness with our heavenly parents before this life. This is what the Father wants us to come back to. We hail from a happy place and from happy parents. We are in their likeness and have the potential to become as they are in their immortal perfection. That should be the focus of our entire existence.

 

I wish to reside in the shadow of your heart,

To never know sadness

Or the wretched heat of my tears.

I know I would be happy there,

Cradled in the perfect centre of Your being.

I want to feel the miracle of Your love

And worship the wonder of You.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: My Heart Flutters by Greg Collins)

JOY

 

I was reminiscing with an old friend the other day. We laughed about the memories of our youth and I cried when our conversation was over. I am often taken back to my past during this hard adjustment to what I consider the last stage of my life.

I reflected on how carefree we were but on serious reflection, we were not really happy because we yearned for what we did not have, marriage and family. It seems to be in the nature of all mortals to long for something else other than what they already have. I guess it is because we are so intent on being happy all the time that we always think something else will give us that.

What we forget is that this life was not designed for consistent and lasting happiness but only for snippets of such so that we will have the motivation for its pursuit in the long run. If true happiness could be found in this life, we would cease to strive for our eternal destiny, which can offer us not only lasting happiness but also JOY. As Lehi put it so wisely to his children: “Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

So what is this joy? Immediately following this statement, Lehi expounded on redemption through Jesus Christ, obedience to His commandments, and eternal life. The Saviour confirmed this when he said: “….in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full” (D&C 101:36). He elaborated on that by saying we should not fear death, nor care for the life of the body, but to look beyond, to eternal life (D&C v 37). In other words, look toward what I can give you, which is the fullness of joy as you embrace eternal life. This is the happiness worth waiting for.

The downside of the pursuit of happiness here and now is losing the eternal perspective. Some of us  get confused and think that happiness can be found in unholy places, with Satan’s counterfeits which give us pleasure in the guise of happiness and joy.

I know of one mother who encouraged her son to ‘come out of the closet’ and be ‘who he is’ so he can be happy. He is now a chronic alcoholic, inactive and alone. And what does she do to support him? She drinks with him to make him feel better about his choice of escapism. She too has turned her back on the Church.

Everything in this life is fleeting. This is only a temporary state of being in our eternal existence. The pursuit of happiness should not be our objective here but to prepare for life everlasting.

This is what Christ’s sacrifice was all about. Deep within His pain, was the potential for our joy for it was for our ‘joy that was set before Him’ that He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).

Who is like unto Thee,

Jehovah, our God?

Who protects the weak

And the broken hearted;

Who sorrows for the lost

And pays the price of

The crucible cost.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Glory of Jesus Christ by Ralph of Gratis Graphics)

THE SACRED MARRIAGE

 

Have you ever wondered why the Saviour chose the marriage metaphor for His covenant relationship with us, His Church? I think it is because there is no holier union of any individuals than that of marriage. A marriage union is one of love, sacrifice, unity and endurance. Or so it is meant to be.

Marriage in this life is a great teaching opportunity. It can help us reflect on our ‘marriage’ union with the Saviour himself. Let me explain.

We are told that if we want to get to celestial kingdom, we need to start living by its principles now. The same goes for a celestial marriage. Marriage will not make itself celestial overnight or by the wave of a magic wand when we walk through the pearly gates. A celestial marriage starts in this life and not only through the temple ceremony but through every day sacrifices, mindfulness and love.

I remember one prophet saying years ago that if each person put their marriage partner before themselves, both would win, and that marriage would be successful. If each partner is in pursuit of the other’s happiness, there would be no divorce.

However, the very opposite is unfortunately true. Often we allow our personal issues to navigate our response to our marriage partner disregarding their feelings or the effects that response would have on them. Likewise, when we are in the moment of self-gratification, we seldom think of how we are affecting God.

The same principles of a successful marriage apply to our relationship with the Saviour. He is the husband and we are the bride. We know that His pursuit is our ultimate happiness: “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Has he not ensured that already as He taught us, covenanted with us, hung on the cross for us? Is He still not ensuring that by the inexhaustible gift of forgiveness through our repentance?

I have reflected a lot this week on what I could do to make the Saviour happy. The more I thought of this marriage metaphor, the more I could see how giving up anything unworthy of my relationship with Him would not only ensure His happiness but would in turn benefit me and ensure mine too. I saw the things of this world that I was clinging to as amazingly insignificant compared to this principle.

We know when we are not in alignment with God, we are not really happy. When we are in alignment with the world or the natural man, the pay off we get from it never lasts and lack of self-respect, depression, anxiety and dissatisfaction is sure to follow.

If we suffer any of this on continual basis, we are not happy, and we are not making the Saviour happy either. He has suffered all these things for all so that we need not suffer (D&C 19:16). This is an act of a true loving husband. So what then should be the act of a true loving wife?

The wedding is at hand. Are we ready to be arrayed in a wedding garment of ‘fine linen, clean and white’? (Rev. 19:8). Are we ready to forsake spiritual Babylon and prepare ourselves to “go forth to meet the Bridegroom”??? (D&C 133:5,7,10,14). Are we worthy to be called His bride???

 

I have no life but this,

To know Thy approving glance;

To kneel at Thy feet,

To know there is a chance.

I have no life but this

To follow the path to Thy throne

To be greeted with a holy kiss,

And know the reality of such bliss.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Filling Her Lamp by Dan Burr)

HAPPINESS

 

 

I have posted of late a lot of pictures of Jesus smiling. The response to these pictures has been overwhelming with many of you loving to see Him happy. I agree these pictures are beautiful and very endearing. I guess, because we love Him, we don’t like to be reminded of His suffering. It is drummed into us repeatedly. What we are not regularly reminded of is His happiness ‘who for the JOY endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). Of course He is happy, He suffered, He endured and He is now exalted.

One innocent comment I had to one of Christ’s smiling images was: “I wonder what He could be seeing to give Him such a happy smile. Probably a puppy or a kitty”. I could tell you what would really make the Saviour smile, our righteousness. I was very happy to see another comment confirming my belief: “I know that Jesus smiles every time we do good and keep our covenants with Him”.

I am very passionate about ‘trust’. I relish paying my bills because it confirms to me and to those who have provided me with a service, that I can be trusted. My value of trust has been one of the things that has kept me on the strait and narrow path. My reasoning is this: If I have made a covenant at baptism to obey the commandments and made higher covenants in the Temple and then walk away from these covenants, where is my integrity? The message I then send is that I cannot be trusted. It would kill me if God thought He could not trust me. So yes, every time we do good and keep our covenants we bring a smile to the Saviour’s face.

When John the Revelator wrote that Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ he was telling us that the Atonement was already in place in the premortal world and that the Atonement performed in mortality was just a formality. We could draw upon its blessings and power in pre-existence as if it had already happened. This is the power by which we overcame Satan in the great war in heaven (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Mosiah 3:13; 4:7; D&C 93:38; see also Institute Manual comments for Revelation 12:11). I stand amazed at the man of integrity that the Saviour was from the very beginning. That we not only believed that He COULD carry out the Atonement but that He WOULD. That’s trust of the highest kind. That’s a gift to humanity beyond description. So yes, every time we keep our covenants, we affirm our faith and gratitude that He kept HIS covenant before the world began. The question is, can He trust US???

The Saviour’s happiness is very much intertwined with ours. The joy that was before Him when He hung on the cross was not only for His but also our eternal happiness. Of course He would be happy if He knew He did not suffer in vein. The Atoning power with which we overcame Satan I pre-existence is the power by which we can overcome him again. How happy that would make the Saviour if we overcame His enemy in this life and subdued the powers of hell with our righteousness! Perhaps we should be a bit more concerned about making HIM happy and less about ourselves. Smile, He is on our side…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus the Source of Joy by Ivan Guaderrama)