Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto
me.
All my life, I have read this
scripture with the thought of visiting those behind prison walls, and it is
certainly appropriate, good, and right. Nevertheless, this was obviously
difficult to do when young and perhaps scary or ill-advised. But later in life,
I realized people are imprisoned in many ways, behind walls of doubt, fear,
insecurity, pain, and loneliness.
Just up
our street hardly a block from our house when I was a child lived a kind old
woman and her son—right across the road from one of my best friends. She was
welcoming and kind to us children. Back in those days, youngsters could visit
adults in their homes without fear of abuse, and I visited Mrs. Goble
frequently. I enjoyed cheering her up. She was always so happy to see me. She
obviously enjoyed having company, and I was 4-5 at the time and filled that
need wonderfully. As benevolent as that may sound, I admittedly was there for
the treats. Sometime during my visit after introductory pleasantries and
probing questions about my family, Mrs. Goble brought out the cookies, and I
was allowed to take whatever I wanted. Imagine that—a whole tray of sugar
cookies, pecan pralines, lemon drops, and shortbread-like Mexican wedding
cakes. Actually, I had no idea the actual names of the variety of delicacies. I
just remember savoring every bite. She must have known how much I liked the
cookies, because she kept them coming as long as I would sit there and visit.
And I expect that she knew I never got such a prize all to myself in a house of
eight children, so we kept having regular visits for some time, until my mother
found out. Then I was gently rebuked to not solicit treats from poor old Mrs.
Goble. You would think I would have been crushed, but truth is I was getting
too old for this kind of arrangement, and I didn’t know how I was going to
break the news to my elderly friend. So it all worked out in the end, but I will
always remember fondly my wonderful visits to Mrs. Goble’s.
Today, I realize there are many
elderly people who feel their lives have been reduced to an occasional visit
perhaps out of duty. They wait every day for a call, a card, or recognition
that their memory and their lives will be viewed as significant and go on to
bless others. Sadly, many feel forgotten.
There are others we meet every day
that on the outside look healthy, young and vibrant, but inside they are
battling tremendous obstacles and perhaps even addictions. These folks feel lonesome
and hopeless because their challenge is frequently fought on the lonely
battlefields of regret, shame, and fear. Though they try to smile and look
normal on the outside, the turmoil within leaves them feeling scared, disconnected,
and lonely. Friends may call regularly, but their circumstance frequently
worsens without help. It doesn’t feel real, and they can’t escape their ghastly
prison.
Another vice perhaps even more
insidious than the previous two is discouragement. The reason it is more
sinister than those mentioned lies in the fact that it both often accompanies
the others and is frequently invisible to bystanders. Gestures to “cheer up” or
other well-meaning encouragement fall flat and is neither interpreted nor
implemented correctly. The situation is often similar in effect to a person who
cannot quench his thirst in an ocean of salt water and ends up dying from
dehydration…water everywhere but inaccessible to the one that really needs it.
The Savior discussed like situations
in his time when people found themselves in circumstances from which they could
not free themselves, and he interestingly also taught all of us how we should
respond. Do you remember it? He spoke of a time still to come, when the Son of
man shall appear in his glory, and legions of angels with him. The Lord then does
something very interesting. He gathers all nations before him and separates
them one from another as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And he
sets the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Let’s read in the
Bible from the gospel of Matthew what happens next:
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his
right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat:
I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and
ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him,
saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave
thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee
in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and
came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
And this encouragement applies to us
today as well. Just when we think things are going pretty well, we get a
surprise that stops us in our tracks and nearly knocks us down. It happens when
we are sideswiped with devastating news or circumstances we neither prepared
for nor imagined. It happens to all of us, so we should have empathy for others
who are experiencing the challenges in our very midst. Everything important that
we have is a result of his grace for you and me. Because of Jesus Christ we have a wonderful future in
store for us despite the hardships of our present circumstances. And
gratefully, we are not alone.
There are many examples of faithful
men and women who followed the example of the Savior and gave their lives and
effort toward furthering his plan. These people recognized the important role
of the Savior and acknowledged his part in the Great Plan of Happiness. From
numerous possibilities, I have selected the beloved King Benjamin as an example
to illustrate my point.
King Benjamin discusses this very
idea comprising chapters 2-5 of Mosiah. The prophet Mosiah sends a proclamation
to all the people of the land to assemble so they could hear from their beloved
leader. King Benjamin is becoming old and wants to talk to his people and
tell them that his son Mosiah would be their next king. When he addressed his
people, he recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign, and he
counsels them to serve their Heavenly King. Then he teaches them a lesson that
I believe he felt was most important for his people to hear. He teaches them
humility, service, and appreciation for God. In the book of Mosiah 2:19-24,
we can read the following which is only an excerpt:
23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted
unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.
24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he
hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth
immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are
still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of
what have ye to boast?
So what is it I am supposed to
do? What does he ask of me? To follow
him, so that he can bless me. Examples are abundant in the Church; family
history work, home teaching, rearing families, and service. This of course is
just a small sample of the means through which the Lord blesses us. I would
like to use an example occurring in my surroundings now. We just so happen to
have missionaries serving from our family. You know others. These young men and
women often experience difficult circumstances preaching the good news of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to help, lift, and inspire people all across the world.
They interrupt education, work, and leave their families for 18-24 months at a
time in the prime of their lives and do it all on their own dime. And they have
never been happier.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is all
about freedom and happiness. The scriptures are filled with examples of people
and nations that do not believe this claim and have experienced tragic
circumstances from selfish decisions. The world today is largely suffering the
same consequence—whether as a group or in the lonely battlegrounds of
self-reproach.
However, the answers to these challenges of the past are the same today.
However, the answers to these challenges of the past are the same today.
Let it free you and change your life
for good.
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