Have you ever tried running up a downward escalator?
I tried it once at a mall— and I remember how weirdly hard it was to get started!
But then I figured it out and it was pretty easy.
I felt cool.
(Obviously I don’t rebel much in my life.)
I’ve heard it said though that our relationship with God is like trying to walk up an escalator that is moving down.
Meaning— it takes EFFORT.
It’s not passive.
AND if we stop making any effort, we aren’t just halting our progression—we are actually moving away from God.
What about if we stop moving completely?
The Lord reminds us what is waiting for us at the bottom of that escalator if we stop trying to connect with the divine:
“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror;
“yea, that you may conquer Satan,
“and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” (D&C 10:5)
It’s the adversary and those who “uphold his work.”
I definitely don’t want to fall down there!
So, how do I conquer Satan?
How do I work my way up the escalator so I can feel God’s love and gain more peace if in my life?
“Pray always.”
Prayer is not just a checklist item each day.
When I pray always, I find that I am being kept away from the adversary.
Temptations don’t seem as difficult to resist.
I can more clearly see people who are just trying to drag me down.
I recognize the little lies that he tries to whisper to me.
These are blessings I desperately want in my life.
So I’m going to keep praying as much as I can and keep moving up that escalator, closer and closer to God!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
