He Reaches My Reaching

The hymn "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" has always been one of my favorites. A new perspective was brought to me during one of my Institute classes during the last few weeks that has changed the way that I view the Savior helping me through my trials.


This line is in the third verse of the hymn. It reads as follows:

"He answers privately, Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. 
Gentle the peace He finds for my beseeching.
Constant He is and kind, love without end."

During class, our teacher spoke of the story of the Savior walking on the water. When Peter decided that he wanted to walk out on the water to meet the Savior,  he was filled with strength, courage and peace as the Savior called out to him. Peter got out of the boat and started walking. He was doing great until he stopped his forward motion, faltered in his faith, which then caused him to sink. I love this painting by Liz Lemon Swindle. It's a great depiction of what happened next. Peter was sinking into the water, but the Savior was right there as Peter reached out to Him. I'm sure Christ could have easily made a miracle happen and have Peter rise above the swirling waters, but He didn't. He reached down to Peter to help him back up. 

This is what it's like in our lives. We have faith to follow Christ and begin walking on the water the reach Him. We are doing great for awhile and then we realize that we're walking on water. We begin to question and doubt, causing us to sink. Sometimes we sink below the surface, and sometimes we end up on the bottom of the ocean. No matter how far we sink, the Savior will always have His hand outstretched to us to help bring us back up to Him. He loves us and wants us to be happy. He will always be there to help us, no matter how far we've gone.

It goes right along with the doctrine of grace. After all we can do, Christ will help take care of the rest. It did take faith and work for Peter to get out of the boat and started his journey across the water. After all we can do, Christ will reach for us to lift us up. Study in the scriptures under grace to discover this for yourself. I testify that this is true. 

I love my Savior and am so grateful for His Atonement and loving grace to Reach My Reaching. No matter how far down in the water I may go, whether it's mistakes or just my negative emotions, He will always have His hand outstretched, ready for me to grab it when I'm ready and willing to.

I know this is true. If you haven't felt this in your life, find out for yourself. He will answer you.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Image
General Conference has always been a family event for my family. We would have family travel from out of state just to come and listen to prophets and apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak to the world. One of our family's tradition is to have M&Ms while watching and playing Conference Bingo. I can't imagine watching conference without one or both during most if not all sessions. I have always loved Conference. Their words inspired and lift me. Even though they are speaking to millions of people all over the world, they somehow know just what to say that soothes my soul and is exactly what I need in my life. Topics range every session of Conference from missionary work to families, from marriage to pornography, from grieving to happiness. Just about every Gospel topic that members of the Church need at this time is covered. If you have any questions or doubts in your mind about the Gospel or struggling with anything in your life, I challenge ...
Read more

His Hand in Your Life

Image
I was talking with a friend earlier this week about life and how we got to where we are right now. It got me thinking a lot about how the Lord's hand has directly guided my life. We don't always know why things happen the way they do. Actually most of the time we don't understand that, but the Lord knows. He will choose to tell us when we need to know, even if that isn't until the next life. I know that everything happens for a reason. I have had my share of frustrating moments where I wish I knew why things happen the way the way they do right now, but I'm grateful that the Lord is in charge of everything. I seriously have been able to see how the Lord has connected different events in my life. One thing didn't happen the way I had hoped, but it led to other things that helped take my life in a better, but different direction. It's like these dominoes here.   If I was in charge of my life, it would have led my life in the path to the left,...
Read more

In Christ Alone

Image
 Hello there!  I have been deciding for three months what my first post back from the mission should be about. It has been hard to decide and I finally realized what it needed to be about - our Savior Jesus Christ.  Before my mission, I knew my Savior was there for me. He had helped me during my hard times, especially when Mom passed away, and I felt the "balm in Gilead" heal me. But I had never truly realized that He could help me change, truly change.  During the summer of 2014 at BASEcamp, we sang a song made popular by Owl City "In Christ Alone". It's actually an old Christian song sung in many different congregations all over. I had never heard it until Owl City sang it. The words have made an impact on me. I have listened to it hundreds of times, but was reminded of the significance as I listened to it again tonight.     Listen to it while you read the words below: In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This C...
Read more