On Repentance and Change

The power of Christ's atonement enables us, strengthens us, provides peace, and lifts us even when we are unaware, or unworthy of it. Christ loves us so much that his love encompasses us even when we feel lost, afraid, alone, and undeserving of his love. He is always near us, even when we cannot see him there. I love this concept! This is who he is.

In addition to the strengthening and enabling power of Christ's Atonement, is the gift of repentance which is truly one of the greatest gifts God has given to mankind. Regardless of our age, our gender, our ethnic background or race, our religious background, or even the timeframe in which we live on this earth, the gift of repentance is available to all of us.

Christ is the one who offers this gift for us. As part of the plan of our Heavenly Father, Christ was willing to sacrifice himself and die for us that we might become whole and come home to our Heavenly parents.

I love this gift!

The chance we have to start anew each day, week, month, and year--and the ability we have to change at any point in time regardless of our previous or current path, truly is remarkable! Whatever mistakes we made yesterday, we can overcome and change today. The depth of Christ's Atonement transcends all things, all mistakes, transgressions, and sins. We can become whole today, regardless of who we have been. Ours is the opportunity and choice to choose Christ and let him in.

The path of repentance takes time and is a journey. Even the desire to do good must be nurtured over time so that it becomes a part of who we are and the desire to sin and choose wrong is overcome. In this journey it is easy to become frustrated with ourselves and our progress and desire to stop trying to change and become good. But as we keep persevering and rely on the Lord, he will give us strength to overcome. He will heal us of our wounds, bind up our broken hearts, and fill us with his love. This is who he is. This is always available to us, regardless of where we are in our lives, or how far we have fallen. The more we love him, or even just exercise a desire to love him, the more his love fills us and makes us whole.

As we strive to change and become better we must remember that others are doing the same and are trying to let the Savior into their lives. As easy as it is to shame and bring up the previous mistakes of another, we should never deny any individual the opportunity to change and apply the Atonement of Christ into their lives. Neither us, nor they are perfect. The Atonement of Christ is available in its entirety just as much to them as it is to us. We should never shun, nor withhold our friendship, nor love from those who are trying to change and let the Savior in. The journey to change can be hard and difficult at times, and for us to shun or cut off our friendship with an individual who is trying to change only makes the path harder and more difficult for them. We do not know how far they have come, or what they have had to sacrifice or give up to be at the point they are at in their journey.

It is not easy to let another know that we are imperfect and have made mistakes, and so if a friend reaches out to us, or trusts us enough to confide in us what they are experiencing and going through we should open our hearts to them and show an increase in love and help them in their journey, and never the opposite. We should avoid judging, and hardening our heart when a friend opens their heart to us. When we are at our lowest, that is when we need the strength of another to help lift us to greater heights. And our friends need the same of us.

Repentance and change is a beautiful thing. As we invite the Savior into our own lives, let us do so fully by accepting and allowing others to change and invite him into their own lives. It seems at times we don't want others to change. We remember who they were, or what they have done and we don't allow them to change. We want them to stay the way we remember them. Or sometimes it is because one person's past actions remind us of another's actions, which immediately triggers pain and so we cut ourselves off from that individual entirely. But if that individual did not initially cause the pain and is diligently trying to come to the light, why must we categorize them with others and immediately shut them out? Why can't we give them a chance to prove themselves that they are different and are changing? Why don't we let go of our pain and grudges and allow that individual to change and become a new being. Let us dispel our grudges and let go of our pain. Let us let the Savior into our own lives and allow him to heal us. Let us be quick to show love and encouragement towards others and be willing to offer a hand to those in need. Let us become lights to those who sit in darkness. Let us put off the natural man and become saints through Christ the Lord. Let us become as he is.