THE TEST

 

The other day I wrote a post about compassion and I claimed that we are not here to ‘learn and to grow’ but rather to be tried and proven as per the scriptures (Abraham 3:25). One sister thankfully commented: “yet didn’t Christ learn by the things He suffered?”. I immediately recalled the scripture which had not up to now provided a proper understanding for me.

The scripture states: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). I had read this scripture many times and always wondered what the Saviour had to learn when His obedience was perfect even before He came here and then all of a sudden it began to make sense for the first time.

Earthly suffering has the power to create animosity towards God and foster the attitude of disobedience (Job 2:4,5). Many people turn away from God because they cannot accept that He allows bad things to happen to good people.

Over the years I have learnt a lot about the Plan of Salvation but there was always a piece of the puzzle missing for me about suffering. I couldn’t understand why it was so necessary for our eventual rise to godhood. I felt the core reason for it was missing for me. Then two years ago I entered a stage of physical suffering that unbeknownst to me was trying to teach me what I wanted to know.

I still stand by my understanding that we came here to be tried and tested but this time I can see the connection between suffering and this test. The connection is obedience. The test is to prove we will be obedient when it is the hardest to be so. If we can be obedient in our extremities, we have arrived.

I think of that perfect baby in the manger. He who was perfect in His obedience before He was born yet He too had to prove Himself. I think of His earthly life and how that proving ground led Him to HIS extremity – His greatest suffering which forged the example of obedience for all mankind when He uttered: Thy will be done. That’s obedience.

And here is the greatest act of mercy on Father’s behalf. His ability to send us to temporary affliction shows His utmost trust in the process of the Atonement, knowing full well that because of it we would survive the test. Our trust in this most miraculous and supernal gift also would have been supreme when we voted for it. No sane person would accept a painful plan with risk of being lost, without a sure way of eventual escape. It would be like entering a tunnel knowing there is no exist at the end. But because of that babe in the manger there is an exit.

This Christmas I am reflecting not only on His birth but His life of suffering as I accept my  own. And I will give thanks for all He has to teach me…..

The baby in the stable

So innocent and sweet,

On the altar of sacrifice

Lay at Father’s feet.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Heavenly Peace by Eileen Whitehead)

“A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishment of others.

Whereas humility generally denotes dependence upon God and the constant need for His guidance and support, a distinguishing characteristic of meekness is a particular spiritual receptivity to learning both from the Holy Ghost and from people who may seem less capable, experienced, or educated, who may not hold important positions, or who otherwise may not appear to have much to contribute.

Meekness is the principal protection from the prideful blindness that often arises from prominence, position, power, wealth and adulation.”

-          (Elder David A. Bednar, “Meek and Lowly of Heart” April 2018 GC)

When the Pacific Area Presidency was located in Sydney, Australia 30 years ago, I was fortunate enough to be in the same ward as them. I was a freshly divorced single mother in the Church and I was the Gospel Doctrine Teacher. It was a humbling experience to teach this class with Elder Featherstone and Elder Hafen listening to me. They never corrected me, or offered comments that made mine insignificant in comparison. They built me up when I needed it the most. They were the meek men of the earth who cared more about the little fish in the Church than elevating themselves because of their callings. This is meekness.

I reflected this week on many of you wonderful people who build me up through your appreciation of my writing. I am still a little fish in the Church without a name yet I am fed every day by your grateful comments of the knowledge and understanding I glean through my study of the Gospel and the guidance of the Holy Ghost. You are also the meek of the earth……

Elder Bednar went on to list the qualities of a meek person: strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; gracious, not brash. Can you see one person in all these attributes? The Saviour is the epitome of meekness.

Lucifer in all his pride wanting to exalt himself above us, would have through his plan given us what the Father had but it would never have made us what the Father is. Only the Saviour can: in example, in leadership, in empowerment.  Everything he is, we have to become. Everything we become, we owe to Him who seeks to elevate us to His own station. This is meekness divine.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Whispers of Grace by Ivan Guaderrama)