Why Not Us?

The Super Bowl was interesting, in that, the team that was expected to win got totally blown out of the water by this young team from Seattle. I loved the comment from the quarterback of the Seahawks (winning team). I find it inspiring:

The 5-foot-11 Wilson, who has had doubters at every stage of his career, said. . ."I remember my dad asking me one time, and it's something that has always stuck with me: 'Why not you, Russ?' You know, why not me? Why not me in the Super Bowl? So in speaking to our football team earlier in the year, I said, 'Why not us? Why can't we be there?'

I'm thinking we might all be better off if we thought more like this man.

I read a book last week called "Visions of Glory." It was pretty cool. I loved some of the concepts brought forward in the book about the last days and the formation of Zion before the millennial reign.  I thought it was fascinating. Of course, it's not official church doctrine or anything, but it is really an interesting read.

I have started reading the book "Believing Christ." This is also a very interesting book. It emphasizes the role of grace in the gospel.  It makes clear the point that no one is going to become perfect on their own, that we all fall way short, but that through aligning ourselves with Christ, that we become partners with him, and He. as our partner, can cover what we lack. We just have to merge with him, so to speak. He talks about it being like a takeover of a small in debt business by a large profitable business, the small business becomes solvent through the merger of the two because the large business' assets can more that cover whatever debt the small business has.  Everyone is invited to make this merger, or to come unto Christ. But it is always left to us to choose. There are some conditions we have to accept and abide by, but if we are willing to accept and abide by these conditions, then the merger can happen.  He talks about how since we all fall short, it is not really relevant how far short we fall. It is more relevant how much we want it, and where our hearts and desires are. If we are doing our best to believe and follow Christ, then we can partake of his grace, which is sufficient for all. It's a good book. It's the book that the bicycle analogy comes from that is often told at church, where the little girl saves her pennies, but is hopelessly short of buying the bike she wants, so her father takes all that she has, plus a hug and a kiss, and makes up the difference. He does not buy the bike due to the girl's worthiness or capacity to buy the bike on her own, but rather it is due to her father's love for her. In the same way atonement and salvation are not given to us for our ability to earn it, or for our worthiness, but it is offered based on our Father's love for us. We merely have to give our all, and a hug and a kiss (our love, devotion, and faith) and the bike (salvation) is ours. It seems simple enough. Too bad we always make it seem more complicated.

The scripture about King Lamoni's father has been on my mind this week as well: "I will give up all my sins to know him." That's what we all need to be doing. King Lamoni's father was a pretty wicked guy, but he changed completely in a very short period of time. He gave up all desire to do evil. He had a complete change of heart. If he can do it, then, "Why not us?" I dare say there is no reason why not. Let's do it today! Let's give up all our sins to know him, or at least, let's give him all we have, and a hug and a kiss, and trust that he is always going to come through for us.