In Christ Alone

 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 Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

 

It truly is because of our Savior Jesus Christ that we can change and become better. He ALONE is where our true sense of happiness and hope comes from. We can find great strength and power in Him. So many times in my life, and I'm still working on it, is only placing my value based on what He says instead of what anyone else says. Jesus Christ died for us!!! He loves us so infinitely and wants to help us because He knows how!!!  I just am so grateful for the Savior's atonement that allows me to change, even when I keep making the same mistakes or falling into the same temptations or self doubts. He believes in me and will be there for me no matter how long it takes for me to change...He will be there no matter what.  I worked at an awesome young women's conference last week called Time to Blossom, and one of the speakers there talked about choosing one word to help us focus on how we can be better. One word that will drive us to becoming more like Jesus Christ. I invite y'all this week to pick a word that will help you better access the Savior's help and atonement. I have picked mine and know He can even help me as I work on becoming more like my word. I know He will help you too! Happy Tuesday!

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