We, who have been grafted in to the eternal Vine of life, and have sluffed off the cloak of our sinful nature, now have become joyful slaves to the great and merciful Master. We delight in His ways and wonders. We have thrown away everything that hinders us and cast away the sin that so easily entangles. It makes way for the race of perseverance before us with our eye single to our Lord. He who ran the most exhausting race anyone could ever endure and finish with such perfection that He is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our Master has given all of us the perfect example of how to endure all aspects of our race of perseverance so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. His Word has been given to us, His sons, for Godly encouragement. Therefore, do not be surprised then when Holy discipline enters our lives. Do not make light of the Lord's discipline, yet, at the same time, do not lose heart, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.
Our slavery to the Master is one that is humble, meek and undeserving. Our path is one that must be endured to the end. We now belong to the family of God and our Father disciplines those He loves. We should submit to our Father and live!
All discipline, at the time it is given, hurts. Just remember that the pain is short lived as long as we do not lose sight of our Savior, the One who endured all and never sinned. Keep pressing on towards the goal that leads towards a harvest of righteousness and peace. (Hebrews 12:1-12)
God bless all Christian brothers and sisters who are in the race that leads to the most excellent bounty of all.
The Race to Harvest
READY NOW AM I
I really liked this picture when I was a teen. I felt close to God through the image while I was putting my goals together. The way the Mormon church put things together for teenagers was very appealing. I believed that everything that the church did was the best.
I get upset to realize that I set goals that were for the wrong reasons. I know that my intentions then were to serve the only true God. Come to find out, I was serving another God that had nothing to do with the true and living God.
That's all I ever wanted to do---Serve the one and only true God.
BEHOLD THY HANDMAIDEN
The picture above is a page from my personal scrapbook and on that page is a little handbook. It's a companion to a workbook that is titled, "Behold Thy Handmaiden". The workbook contained pre-written goals and blanks spaces for personal goals. The Mormon church had the young women of that time work on such workbooks.
I made all kinds of goals that were put forth by the workbook and completed all the goals I was committed to. The workbook was then given to my adviser (teacher) and she in turn gave it to my bishop. After he went over it, he gave it to my stake president. I needed all three signatures after each goal. I don't remember how many goals, but I remember it took a long time to complete all the goals in the workbook.
In a sacrament meeting I was awarded a necklace in 14ct gold that was to show everyone that I completed those goals, plus whatever else I had to do, in the workbook. I can't remember right now what the "whatever else" might be. I was the first girl in my stake to receive such an award. If you ever went through what I did to get this necklace, you know how hard it was to get it. It takes a lot of sweat and work to get it. I don't have the necklace any more. My life was centered around this little book back then.
All I can say now is that I learned real well to do what I was told to do and this program, "Behold Thy Handmaiden", was one of the tools that taught me. The Mormon church uses many programs to get the children to conform to its teachings.
"Behold Thy Handmaiden" is one.
