Helmet of Salvation

Putting on the Helmet of Salvation

Alright, I have a feeling this is going to be a big hit (no pun intended). The last time I described myself getting hurt, my blog got a lot of views. Maybe the Lord knew that because I have been slacking, and not updating my blog regularly that to get people to read, I had to get hurt again...

Yesterday, I was riding my bike. It was about 7:00 in the evening. We were coming from the house of a member who helps us work with the members in our area. We had met with him and talked about the work that we are doing, so that the ward can be involved in the work of salvation.

Something you need to know about me. I hate going slow. I have no patience for things that I can control, and so I go full speed on my bike. We were coming down this street going probably 20 miles per hour.--When you want to go fast on your bike you stand, and as you are peddaling you move the handlebars up at the same time, so that you are pulling your petals closer to you, as you are pushing down with your legs.--This was the way I was riding, back and forth, when my front wheel suddenly slid further to the right, as I hit a patch of gravel.

Because I was pushing down with my leg at the same time, the whole bike went down, and I was driven headfirst into the Asphalt.

Check out the cracks in the side.

I can remember sliding on my helmet/face for probably a second or two, moving about 7 feet on the Asphalt. I lied there for about a second, before springing up, brushing myself off, and telling the bystanders I'm good. That way preserving my ego from being permanently injured.

If anything happens that shakes me up, I think about it nonstop. (That might be why I am writing a blog about this.)  A couple of days ago me and Elder Hunt, my companion, were reading in Ephesians 6. There it talks about the armor of God. My mother in every letter she writes me, tells me "Don't forget your armor." One of the pieces of armor is the Helmet of Salvation.

We have a rule as missionaries. Any time we are riding our bikes, we are required to wear a helmet. Some missionaries being the 20 year-olds that we are, think that is a stupid rule, and choose not to be obedient to it.

In our normal lives we also have commandments we need to follow. Sometimes we have that same attitude. If we are not obedient to the laws of God, we are leaving the Helmet of Salvation behind, as we bike the path of life, and when (not if) we fall, we have no protection from the impact of the road.

Because of my helmet, I am typing this blog right now...I don't know how much sense it makes, you'll have to tell me when I finish it. My helmet was cracked from the impact. My vision was blurry for about 3 hours after the accident. When obeying the commandments we will still have opposition and trials. But our obedience to the commandments of God, will soften the impact. If I had not worn my helmet, (I can't be sure), but I don't know if I would be conscious right now. I might have had more permanent damage. But now I carry only a slight headache and a lot of roadburns.

I know Heavenly Father gives us commandments for a reason, and as we obey them we will recieve protection and blessings.

 

The Road to Glory

Have you ever ridden a Public Bus?




If you haven't, I highly reccomend it.

It makes your life just a tad bit more interesting. Whether you sit by a man who lectures you about aliens, or you switch seats, because the person behind you is trying to feel your hair, you pay the same price to get on. While you are on the bus, it is your decision where you pull the cord, where you get off, and how much you enjoy the ride.

I would submit to you that life is a bus ride. Each of us has paid a price to be here in this life. Whether your price was to be given a body that is not fully functional, have natural temptations that are extremely hard to contain, whatever your price, you are here.

Now some people's seats are more cushiony than others. Whether they have a strong family, doing well economically, and are blessed to be in countries that allow us to excercise our agency. Whatever seat you are in whether plushy, or springs are poking out, we are all trying to get to the same destination.

There is the stop in Zion; the perfect place which is reserved for as many as will complete the bus ride. There awaiting us, our family who have made the journey in the past, our Heavenly Father who built the stop for us, and our Savior Jesus Christ, who paid our bus fare.

The Journey is long and grueling. It twists over many mountains, causing many passengers to be sick, and leave the bus. At other times, the bus goes through deserts, forcing great heat upon the passengers, and some get out in hopes of finding relief. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, have provided us handbooks of instruction so that we will know where to get water when it's grueling (there's a minifridge in the back) and where we can get Dramamine, so the curves of the road don't impact us as much.



We are also given suggestions on how we can best endure the ride, how we can make our seats better, and how we can help the other passengers, so more of us can make it to the Bus Stop.

I hope you can see the relation of this metaphor to your life. The road is hard for many, but if you give them the hope of a final destination, even those who have gotten off the bus, can get back on the Road to Glory!

Hope

Left in the dark, Abandoned
You feel the cool, hard rocks under your hands,

As you climb to your feet,

Your head swoons.As you tilt to the right.
Helpless without sight,

A rock wall catches you,
You stumble through the darkness,

You pray for a way out,

You continue to stumble.

Suddenly, you see.

Faint but there, you see a source of light.

Hope floods into your chest,
You legs seem strong,
The bruises loosing their pain.
You rush forward with a new drive.

The light is your guide, the light is your hope. As you follow the light, you can find your way out of the dark, cold earth into the warm rays of the sun. Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth and the light, no man cometh to the father except by me." If your life seems hopeless, or you are stumbling over obstacles in your life, look to the light!