If you had never experienced a seed—seen one or known about seeds—what would your reaction be if I gave you an apple seed while you were standing beside an apple tree and told you that the seed could become the tree? The thought would defy all logic and reason. A tiny seed become a big tree? But because you’ve been schooled and have experience instead of being baffled by the thought, you not only accept it but you take it for granted.
The same principle can apply when you look at yourself in the mirror. Seeing your reflection is like seeing the seed when you don’t have proof or knowledge or experience. It makes it difficult to image what you see as a god. And yet Jesus Christ has promised to change us from the carnal, natural, telestial beings we are and make us spiritual, celestial creatures. Just as He makes the seed into a tree, He will make you and I into divine beings.
To accept and believe that you can grow into a divine being is not a matter of pride, it is a matter of genius. To see things in the seed is genius, and to trust and believe that Jesus Christ is making you into something magnificent is hope. To accept that fact so that you actually take it for granted because it is so much a part of your understanding and belief system is powerful.
The Good News! is that I may be a seed today, but I am growing into a mighty tree because Jesus Christ loves me.
Thanks for the reminder. I've always loved the Parley P. Pratt quote about that:
ReplyDelete"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself. But these are possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.
The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine- toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being." ~ Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, pp. 61-62
Hi Sherrie,
ReplyDeleteHappy be-lated Birthday! It looks like you had a good one. You are wonderful!Thanks for the memories!
I think of you often with such warm feelings. I will always treasure the time we spent together in our callings. Thanks for all the love, support and the things I learned from you.
Thanks too for sharing so many wonderful insights on your Goods News blog. You have helped so many people.
You are making a difference! Thank you for your example. You are loved!