Sweet Ironies

One of the ironies of coming unto Christ is the idea that as we draw nearer we become more dependent. Each of us daily forges ahead by way of relationship or estrangement (as it relates to Him). His greatest achievement is written on the tablet of His heart. His Atonement is the most powerful force I know of. It shatters death, quells justice, and provides cleansing floods of mercy to me and all of God's children on this and countless other worlds (2 Nephi 9:7, 25:16

An added irony is realized when this grandest of all events is applied. Elder M. Russell Ballard observed:

Sadly, in today's world, a person's importance is often judged by the size of the audience before which he or she performs. That is how media and sports programs are rated, how corporate prominence is sometimes determined, and often how governmental rank is obtained. That may be why roles such as father, mother, and missionary seldom receive standing ovations. Fathers, mothers, and missionaries play before very small audiences. Yet, in the eyes of the Lord, there may be only one size of audience that is of lasting importance and that is just one, each one, you and me, and each one of the children of God. The irony of the Atonement is that it is infinite and eternal, yet it is applied individually, one person at a time.

            (The Atonement and the Value of One Soul, Ensign (CR), May 2004, p.84)

Isaiah 53:6 reminds:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Our dependence on the Lord should underscore the inevitability of our coming unto Him. Of this truth all of the Prophets have testified.

2 Nephi 9:41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

I want to be His, I want to be worthy of His name, I want to find myself on His mighty right hand (I think we all do). One last irony; most of us don't act like it!

-Paul D. Laws, Pensacola, FL