Over the days leading up to Easter, I'll be updating this post with additional thoughts about hope and second chances, including some personal stories.
This one is a bit harder to explain. Something happens to you when you believe in Jesus Christ. Something deep inside. Something subtle. Something gradual. The only way I can think to describe it is light. You are filled with light. Of course, believing alone isn't enough. It's about trying to emulate Christ's attributes. In short, as we love others, friends and strangers alike, and believe in Christ's promises, we are filled with light.
As we are spiritually attentive and observant, we will be blessed with eyes that see more clearly, ears that hear more consistently, and hearts that understand more fully the significance and subtlety of His ways, His thoughts, and His blessings in our lives.
David A. Bednar
As this light slowly grows brighter within us, we can understand circumstances that formerly perplexed us. We see solutions to previously unsolvable problems. We see God's way for us, and miracles occur. Because of Christ, I am motivated to seek this light by following him. Because of him, there are miracles in my life. The greatest of these miracles have to do with me coming to understand my own very personal challenges and accomplishing that which I previously considered impossible.
Dear John,
I don't know where you are or how you're doing. It's been some time since I last saw you. We didn't part on the best of terms. We didn't meet in the best of circumstances, either. In fact, our interaction was brief, impersonal, and unnecessary. Like so many of life's mundane comings and goings, it was a chance to build character, and I blew it. I'm sorry.
You'll probably never read this. I'll probably never get to apologize to you. I have done what I can to repent, but that still hurts—the thought you'll never get to hear it from me. I worry about that. And because I can't right that part of the wrong, I'll have to rely on something else. I have to trust that Christ atoned not just for the way I treated you, but for the way that my actions made you feel.
Because of that atonement, I feel peace. I'm still sorry, John, and I wish it had never happened. But it did. Nevertheless, my sorrow has been lightened, learned from, and finally erased because of Christ. Because of his promises. Because of his sacrifice. Because of him, I have moved on. I am happy. I am hopeful. I pray that, wherever you are, you have experienced the same miracle.
Respectfully your brother,
Tyler
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/easter/holy-week
Because of Him, we can start again. And again, and again, and again. To me, this message of hope embodies all that I believe about Jesus Christ.
Because of Him
Guilt becomes peace
Regret becomes relief
Despair becomes hope
We ALL have second chances
Because of Him