Confession: My testimony has not always been built on Jesus Christ.
I have had times when my testimony has been built on friends.
It’s sometimes been built on awesome ward members and leaders.
Sometimes it’s been built on callings I’ve had or organizations I’ve been part of.
Sometimes it’s even been built on how much I love “the Church”.
Honestly, I think that these aren’t bad things to have testimonies of.
There are some great important but tangential aspects to love and feel strongly about out.
But Helaman wisely warned his sons of the dangers of building their foundations on anything other than Jesus Christ:
“And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;
“that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” (Helaman 5:12)
The storms WILL come.
Ward members will be rude and insensitive.
Leaders we love will make serious mistakes.
We will get released from callings.
And so much more.
But when we bind ourselves to Jesus Christ, the rock, we can have faith that He will never go away.
It’s all built on Jesus.
And there’s not a single piece of research, news article, scathing podcast, social media comment, or even differing opinion that can ever shake me from that firm placing of my foundation.
How do I feel about Jesus?
What is my relationship like with Him?
What have I personally seen and heard about Him?
How do I choose to tie myself to Him?
If I’m sure in my answers to those questions, I will not fall away from Him.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
2 Responses
Cali,
Your insights continue to amaze me. I know that you were inspired by God to embrace this “Come Follow Me” journey/podcast. Thanks for this sweet and very important reminder “not to” rely on the human flesh or even maybe human ideas and rely in our beloved Savior. He truly is our Rock because I know this myself. He is the ONLY ONE that has brought me out of darkness and awful pain, and plenty sorrow. His Mercy and Love keeps me alive and trying my best to endure to the end.
Thank you so much for your support and sharing your beautiful thoughts with me! <3