Sacrifice

With the recent update that we are able to use the Internet for our proselyting, I have pondered and prayed much about how to use it effectively. It can be hard. Often I feel like I am wasting time while on Facebook rather than out talking to people. As I prayed about it, my answer from the Lord was "you know not what good things might come of this." I am remembering just to trust him. We have been commanded to use the Internet as a way to spread good and truth across the world, by a prophet called by Jesus Christ himself. I hope to use it effectively, that everyone who reads what I post might feel the Spirit of truth. I pray that everyone might enjoy the posts, that they might be able to be uplifted and learn both spiritually and intellectually. In order to expand spreading my experiences I have had in my life, I wanted to start this blog called "Serving Him." After all, to sum up the biggest thing I have learned it is that Serving the Lord always makes your life better. We are always the happiest when we serve Him, no matter what the situation. One of the biggest parts about serving the Lord is sacrifice.

Sacrifice is something we have all heard of. I grew up playing tennis, at a very competitive level. I traveled all over the State of Texas to play tournaments. I played both on my High School Tennis team, and outside of High School in personal tournaments where we were ranked both in the State and Nationally. I played for hours on end, in high school I would often have a 2 hour tennis practice at school daily, and then played another 2-3 hours after school in private lessons and practices. I also played 2-3 tournaments a month on the weekends, which involved up to 5 matches. I spent many hours on the tennis courts, sacrificing in order to reach my goal. After years of this, I was able to finish my senior year as a State Finalist in Mixed Doubles.

I have often thought about my life as a young tennis player. I no longer continued playing competitively after high school, but I have thought much about those days. What separated me and the people I beat? What about the people who beat me? Many things come to mind, such as a strong serve, or a better forehand. Maybe they were quicker or stronger, or maybe just more talented athletes. While all these things are true, the main answer is sacrifice. I was willing to sacrifice much in order to compete at such a high level, and I reaped the rewards. Those who were better than me, normally had spent even more time on the tennis court. They had spent more time sacrificing with weight lifting, running, and diets. Sacrifices I was less willing to do. Sacrifice is always what separated the best from the rest.

Now my life is very different. I am serving a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Many people have asked me why. Why am I willing to give up 2 years of my life? My family, girlfriend, school, all of it. Everything I love in the world is on stop for 2 years. Why would I do it?

Sacrifice. Sacrifice is an eternal law that has existed since ancient times. In the Old Testament, God commanded the people to give sacrifices through burnt offerings of animals. The people had to go and find the perfect animals that they had, that didn't have a "blemish." This was a metaphor, a type, of things to come. These sacrifices were part of the Law of Moses, and existed until the last and great sacrifice.

This last and great sacrifice was the sacrifice Jesus Christ himself made. It was the last and great sacrifice, the infinite and everlasting sacrifice of a man who was half-man, half-God. This act was called the Atonement (Alma 34: 8-16). Christ suffered for us, for our pains, afflictions, infirmities, and sins. He suffered for us in the Garden of Gethsemane up until his death on the Cross at Calvary. He suffered for it all, and was willing to suffer and die for me, and for you. He sacrificed his life, and proved that "greater love hath no man, then he who layeth down his life for another." The Father as well sacrificed, by giving us his only Begotten Son.

Today, Christ asks us that we give him "an open heart and a contrite spirit." This means that we are willing to keep his commandments, and serve him for the duration of our lives. He promises us in return happiness, peace, and blessings in this world and in the next. Everything that I have worried about on my mission has taken care of itself as I put the Lord first. Everyone in my family is okay, and I have seen the people I care about most also grow with me. I was very worried about leaving Madison for 2 years, because while at BYU I often helped her during her sickness. Throughout this time we did not know what she had, but we made several visits to the hospital and doctor that year. Since being on my mission, she has been able to find out the health issue and learn how to prevent further problems. My prayers were answered as I served the Lord and put him first.

I had the choice 14 months ago to serve the Lord and let him take care of my life, or try and do it all by myself. I'm happy to say I made the right choice. I am here, and I am just a way to show the infinite grace and love God has for his children. I am imperfect, but through Him, I may one day reach perfection.

I know that this is the true Church. That God lives, and that He loves us. He wants to help you, and all you have to do is accept. Every person I have taught on my mission has made sacrifices as well. They must sacrifice time, family traditions, their comfort zone, and much more for Christ. I promise everyone one, that if they follow Christ and make sacrifices towards him He will bless them. God will help them reach all they want in their lives, and they will be happier in this life and in the next. We must think about our lives, and what is missing in them. Then after, kneel down in prayer and ask for the Lord's help to sacrifice. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.