You know the saying that goes something like this, “Only 2 things are certain in life: death and taxes.”? Well, I think it should go something like this, “Only 3 things are certain in life: death, taxes, and change.” Change. Change is inevitable. Change is part of our human experience.
There are many kinds of changes we will face in our lifetimes. They may be good or bad, sudden or gradual, trivial or earthshaking, internal or external, expected or unexpected, joyful or heartbreaking.
What has changed in your life in the last week? The last month? The last year or even five years? Has it enhanced your life? Have you grown from it?
I have experienced many unforeseen changes in my life over the last five years. Some were delightful. Some internal. Some sudden and others earthshaking. During all these changes in my life and while, at times, my world was spinning around me, I kept my thoughts, mind, and heart on one thing…the Savior. My Rock. My shield. My refuge. He who never changes and is ever-present.
President Monson encouraged us to always keep our eyes on the Savior when life is uncertain. He said, “Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what it’s beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls ‘This way to safety; this way to home’”. There is no change so big, sudden, or heartbreaking that the Savior doesn’t already know about. And the beautiful thing is that He knows exactly how to help us navigate through it.
As we keep our minds, intentions, hearts, and lives centered on the Lord, we can feel peace amidst difficult changes or trials. Elder Rasband quoted the Savior, “’Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’" and then added,"– rest from worry, disappointment, fear, disobedience, concern for loved ones, for lost or broken dreams. Peace amidst confusion or sorrow is a miracle.” And it is!
Let us remember to soak in the good. Also remember that despite the challenging changes swirling around us, we can make it! We can strengthen our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. We can deepen our study of the gospel. We can “…be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works that Christ...may seal you His, that you may be brought to heaven. That ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life…” (Mosiah 5:15) There will come a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. We will all see Him as he is. Amidst great changes, let’s hold on to Him and look forward to that day.
Stacy Berglund
Mary Lake Ward
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