Speaks to My Soul: Come Away by Jason Polley

Do some things just feel right to you – but you can’t put them into words?

I have that feeling a lot.

Sometimes I feel that as I pray. I try to communicate with God “the author the maker of souls” and I can only do so in images or feelings. Words won’t come or can’t do justice.

Or I receive answers to my prayers – direction from God for my life – but there are no words. There may just be peace. Or a hint of an idea.

Despite this (or maybe because of this) I believe in a Heavenly Father who loves me. I believe He has a plan for us, His children. I believe He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for us.

My life has given me opportunities to “Come away, come away with me” as I strive to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I turn to God in repentance and seek the healing balm brought through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As I find myself one of “the battered and broken” that was “made clean” and “set free”.

I echo Jason Polley’s words

I have been a worried soul for most of my days
But I'm learning to let myself be okay

And I’m relearning that I can be okay even though

turning from your past mistakes ain't as easy as it seems

It is true

When you won't accept forgiveness
You're left to your own schemes

But we don’t have to rely on our own schemes. We can choose to follow God’s plan. We can learn of Him through the scriptures and the words of modern-day prophets.

I have tried to understand my heart but I can't 

What makes me a child and what makes me a man

There are many paradoxes in life, and contradictive truths that we have to balance in our minds. But my experience has taught me that when I turn to the Savior and seek understanding directly from God I find the balance and understanding I need. I find peace and an ability to accept the truth I know now while also seeking additional knowledge and learning line upon line.

PS if you want to listen, check out the song on Spotify 

Likening Scriptures: Work, the Verb

Something I love about my religion is how applicable it is to my day to day life. And that we are encouraged to “liken all scriptures unto us” (1 Nephi 19:23).

As I’m seeking to build and grow a business, I decided to read all the references to the verb work in The Book of Mormon. I’ve just begun and already I feel I have learned so much.

Reading in 2 Nephi 5:15 it talks about how Nephi taught his people to do fine craftsmanship. They built buildings and created art and beauty in their community. They learned skills from someone who had already honed those skills.

For me this was a cool reminder both that there are incredible people who I can seek knowledge and skill from AND that I have skills and abilities that I can seek to share with others.

There is power in creating beauty, in being industrious, in expanding and enriching our minds - because we also improve the world and people around us in the process.

The last thing that I gleaned from that verse comes in the final phrase, “which were in great abundance.” In the scripture I believe it is specifically referring to ore, which was found in the land where they lived. For me today it is a reminder to find and use the resources I have. To use those materials or skills I have “in abundance”.

I’m grateful for the scriptures, and for a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to provide personal direction as I read from His words written and preserved by those who came before me. I’m grateful for continuing personal revelation and the chance to see God’s hand in my life and feel His love as I intentionally turn to Him.