The Waves of Life

The past couple weeks, our YSA stake has focused a lot on Elder Ballard's recently highlighted topic of "staying in the old ship Zion." Basically, Elder Ballard hopes to use the imagery of a ship to represent the gospel, and it has been his counsel that we stay within it (the church) while holding on with both hands. In so doing so, we are able to navigate our way successfully through life, knowing that God is the one guiding the ship. 

Today in church, I was thinking about that message more. I was thinking about how leaving the ship means you get off and go into the cold water where the waves wash over you, leaving you cold, stuck, and in danger. In the ship, you will still feel the waves, but you are able to handle them much better being surrounded by the safety of the ship. 

This led me to think further about two specific stories from Christ's life:

1. Calming the Tempest (Mark 4: 36-41)

• In this story, Christ is in the ship with his disciples. He falls asleep, but then a terrible storm with lots of waves come. They finally wake Him up and ask Him if He cares at all if they die. Christ, in response, says, "Peace be still", ending the winds and the waves. He then asks His disciples why they were so fearful, when they could have had faith that it would all turn out alright. 
• I was thinking about what that means for us who are in the boat. Just because we have the gospel does not mean that we are guaranteed a safe journey. Life still has its waves, but rather than be fearful, we can trust in God and His plan, choosing faith instead. 

      2.  Peter Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)

• This story is a little different, because it is about someone that gets out of the ship. It was a windy night with lots of waves and Christ's disciples were on the ship. All of a sudden, they spot someone walking on the water, scared that it is a spirit. Christ reassures them, revealing that it is Him walking on the water. Peter asks if He can leave the ship to go to Him, and after Christ consents, he lowers himself into the water and begins walking towards Christ. However, he looks down at the large waves, fearful of drowning, making him lose sight of Christ and begin to sink. Christ then reaches out, catching Peter, and guides him back to the boat.
• My interpretation is not perfect, but I was thinking about how the waves outside of the ship can make us sink. If we are not careful, leaving the gospel will not help us but may lead us to drown. However, I love knowing that Christ is out on the waves. He does not stay in the ship, waiting for our return, but He is out diligently waiting to catch us and guide us back to safety. 

I remember a time on my mission that was really hard. I was struggling personally, and the work was really hard. One of my favorite investigators called us, and told us he did not think that he could continue to learn. It crushed me. My heart seemed to break right there on the spot. I remember I felt like I was drowning in the waves of everything I felt I had to do and was not succeeding at. A few days earlier, we had gone to a conference and someone had shared the story about Peter walking on water, and how when we feel like drowning, we need to refocus our sights on Christ and not on the waves, in order to rise up again. In the midst of all of my sadness that day on my mission, I tried to grasp hold of this concept. It worked for me; it pulled me out of the depression and it was a big turning point for me on my mission that has helped to make me who I am today. 

I just love the gospel of Jesus Christ, It really does bring so much happiness and purpose to my life. I am especially grateful for Christ, who always catches me and supports me in the waves of life. 

Some things that made me smile from the week:

• Dressing up as the emotions from Inside Out with my roommates and hosting a Halloween party!
• Making a tres leches cake :)
• Officially changing my major to something that will make me happy! :)