#BecauseofHim

“If our view is limited to mortal life, some things become unbearable because they seem so unfair and so permanent. “

–Boyd K. Packer



"Life isn't fair!"
Probably one of the most shouted, muttered, and used phrases of all time. a phrase whose meaning would, if we were on our own, prove to be the end of many of us. The great and simple truth is, however, that we are not on our own.

So what exactly does that mean? That surely does not mean that we constantly have some creep following us around everywhere we go, does it? Of course not! That means that someone has gone before. Someone knows exactly what you are going through. exactly how you feel. exactly who you are. That someone is our older brother, Jesus Christ.
It is unknown to us how exactly he has accomplished that feat, but we do know that he has done it for we can feel the "fruit," or the evidence of his sacrifice every time we kneel down to pour our hearts out to God, or every time we feel that our world is falling apart. In those times, and in times of relative tranquility, if we ask we shall receive.

First off, why don't we watch a short video together! (Don't worry, you'll be fine. It's not too long.)

It must have been hard. We know it was hard. Imagine yourself for a moment the loneliness and sorrow that you would feel if most of your friends have left you and the ones that remain cannot stay awake while you are going through the hardest time in your life. Imagine for a moment that your source of strength has seemingly abandoned you and you are about to be marched to your death for a few pieces of silver. All for someone that you have never met in this life. All so that they can be happy and live with you again.

This reminds me of a story I heard a while back:
A teacher of a Seminary class (a religion course for the youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) of 25 students once asked a youth (we'll call him Billy) if he was able to do 250 pushups in a row and if so, if he would be able to do them in class the following week. The young man responded, "well of course!"
The next week the teacher came to class with a box of donuts. Enough for each student. He approached the student closest to him and asked, "would you like a donut?" The student, being the young sugar hungry teenager that he was responded, "yes please!" and reached for the box. The teacher pulled the box away and called the first boy over. "Billy, come do 10 pushups for Sam's donut." Billy did so, and this continued for the next few students. After several sets of pushups, Billy's face began to redden and drops of sweat fell to the floor. The box continued on, pushup after pushup, until Sally said that she didn't want a donut; not if Billy had to do more pushups for it. "Ok then," responded the teacher, "Ok then, Billy- do 10 pushups for the donut that Sally did not want."

This has been a favorite of mine that highlights the sacrifice, or atonement of Jesus Christ for us- the price has been paid, but will you "reach into the box" and do what Christ has asked us to do and take the "donut?" At this Easter time, I would urge you to consider what you can do to better utilize the gifts that you have been given. I will be doing the same.
What blessings have come into your life because of him? please share! I'd love to hear!