When I first was given the prompting to start a podcast along with this blog, I’ll admit I was quite overwhelmed. I didn’t have any experience in podcasting or editing or building content… other than my blog which I have struggled to stay consistent with. So this undertaking has taken a lot of faith and trust in the Lord, even during the weeks that I am not recording.Thats when I find myself doubting my abilities and the little ripple that I am making in my little corner of the world.
One thing that I am sure of is that we all doubt ourselves and our abilities at times. It is Satan’s way to discourage and distract us away from the things that will bring change and so much goodness into the world.
Reading back in my journal recently, I realized that I had lost sight of what my original prompting was. And so I felt a little chastised maybe as I read that what the intended need in the beginning, was to give daily upliftment in the form of mini snippets 5-7 min. easy to listen to recordings of the word of God. Through scriptures, conference talks both past and present and examples of great women and men of the gospel. Think 9th article of faith: “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. And if you don’t know what an article of faith is, click here and you can find out more about what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ believe.
When looking back at the past recordings that I have done. I have weaved that into my presentations. But I just never felt completely at peace with what I was doing. There was always that nagging, that I wasn’t doing it the way that the Lord intended for me to do.
I’m not sure why I struggled with the original prompting. Maybe because I don’t feel like a scriptorian, or a student of theology so to speak. I tend to see my flaws as most of us do. But one thing that I am completely sure of is that my Love for the Lord and his gospel is the most prominent part of my life. I LOVE the scriptures, all of them. I love our prophets and for members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I love our heritage and history. Are we a perfect people? No, we are not. But most of us strive, we STRIVE, to live the gospel in the best way we know how. Of course we are going to fall short at times. Of course we are human and will offend and not be liked at times. And that’s ok. It is ok. After all, the church was not built for perfect people, the scriptures do not teach perfect people, nor do they teach OF perfect people. Except Jesus of course. The scriptures and church are for the imperfect, the broken, the lost and wandering. For those who are seeking the truth. And oh how they are given to us with such deep and abiding love from our Lord and Savior.
So this week and for who knows how long, remember I am striving. I will be coming to you daily with a little pinch of hope, peace and joy. I hope you like the new change and will stick around. It might be a little bumpy at first. But I know that what the Lord has in mind is the best direction to go. So let’s go.
This week’s topic comes from scriptures that can be found both in the bible Matthew 7:7-8 and from the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 14:7-8 and D&C 88:64-65
On Monday’s we will shallow dive into the Book of mormon, and modern day scripture. We’ll call it Book of Mormon Monday. So we will start with 3 Nephi 14:7-8 it reads: Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; And to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
And just for reference we will read D&C 88:63-64 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall recieve; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you.
I chose this particular scripture one because I have been using it to figure out my next steps with this podcast. I was going back and forth about whether to keep doing the podcast or give it up all together, when I came across this passage. And I love that it is in all of the scriptures despite a few wording differences. I also like to use the KJV study bible version of the bible because I think it’s important to note the differences and similarities with other Christian translations of the Bible than the one Latter Day Saints normally use, when studying. And I love that it also has a section at the bottom that gives more insight into that particular scripture passage. We will be discussing that more on Friday. So stay tuned for that.
So I just wanted to talk for a few minutes on how we can put this scripture passage to work in our lives. It’s a popular scripture that many christians know by heart and for good reason. It holds beautiful promises from our Savior that He is ALWAYS there for us. No matter what is happening in our lives. I love the words ask, seek, knock.
The word “ask” means to request information, to inquire of, to try and get something. We usually do this in the form of a prayer. We settle upon a question or struggle that we are having and then we take it to the Lord. I imagine in my mind that I am about to approach the door to which the Savior stands behind pondering what my particular request, or need is. I think of what I am seeking in His answer as I knock. Seeking means to go in search of, to try to find, discover, or obtain.
So just for the sake of an example. Imagine that you have your question or struggle and in order to get the answer you have to hike to a steep place where there is a door that you will knock on and the Savior will be there to give you the answer. All along that path you are encountered with rocks and detours and branches of which you need to navigate. It takes work. Seek is an action word. It suggests that you are putting forth some effort. So you might prepare yourself by searching for the answer on your own or coming up with some sort of plan and then as you are hiking you are thinking about that and what you might expect in return from the Savior who is beyond the door awaiting your knock. I picture Him waiting anxiously and in anticipation. Much like that of a mother or father who is always willing and waiting to give advice to their children. He cares so much about you and knows that this is really important to you.
As you ascend to the top of the mountain you have done a lot of the work needed to receive your answer. You have questioned, you have pondered, you have done the work to get there but you need to know that what you are pondering is right or maybe you have no idea and you just need to be guided in the right direction. You knock and wait patiently. And your patience is rewarded when the Savior is there to open the door promptly and invite you inside to sit with Him.
I feel like when I imagine this process, I come knocking with a more humble and open heart to what the Lord has for me in return. He promises “it shall be given…It shall be found… it shall be opened to you.”
I can’t promise that you will find the answers to your questions immediately upon your “knock” but I do know that when you come to the Lord with an open heart and mind, that He will not let you down. He is there to surround you in His peace, comfort and knowledge. He will never ever turn you away.
So today if you journal or write things down. I want you to think of a time when you have gone through the process we talked about and what your experience was. Write it down. Because being able to go back to these experiences in times of need will remind you of how willing the Savior is to open that door wide when we come knocking.
Have a great day my friends and I’ll talk to you again tomorrow!
XO Wendy
Pointing Toward Hope 