9-22-11 “He did deliver me from bondage” p. 88

9-22-11    “He did deliver me from bondage”  p. 88

I was at a seminar last month that told a story, then I read the same story in a book last week called “Unconditional Love”.  It was a story that illustrates this point about agency and accepting those things we cannot change (because we chose them in the life before this one). 

The story went something like this: 

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There once was a young man who was struggling with bitterness and anger because of his current life conditions.  You see, he was trapped inside a deformed little body.  He felt it was not who he was, and he felt he was capable of so much but lacked the ability to do them.  During his struggle he was praying to understand, then one night he had a dream.  In his dream he sat in his wheelchair beside an angel who directed his attention toward two men talking at the far end of his view.  The angel said, “You see those two men over there?  Go listen carefully to their conversation.  The very brightest One is your Heavenly Father.  The other one is you.”  As he approached the two figures, he began to hear their conversation.  He heard the brightest one speak first, “So you think you’re ready to go down?”

“I hope so,” replied the man.  “We’ve talked about all the challenges I’ll face and the family I’ll go to.  Do you think I’m ready?”

“Well there is one more thing we may need to discuss.”

“What’s that?”

“What is it that you want most to learn in your lifetime?” Asked his Heavenly Father.

“I’m so excited,” answered the man.  “I want to learn how to serve and help others.  I especially want to learn how to live my mission and make a contribution to the world.”

“Um, hummm.” Nodded his Father.

“Is there anything else you think I need to learn?” questioned the man.

“Well, yes.  There is one thing.  What is it you want the very most?”

The man looked down and thought carefully for a minute.  Then he answered looking into his Heavenly Father’s eyes, “What I really want is to become like you.  I thing I want the  most to be like you.”

“That is good,” his Father answered.  “I am concerned that your pride will get in the way of that.”

“Isn’t there something we can do?” asked the man with a concerned look on his face.

“Yes there is, but it won’t be easy.”
”What? I’ll do anything!  What can I do?”

His Father paused for a moment then answered, “If we give you a deformed tiny little body, you will be able to overcome your pride.”

“Wow.” The man said as he sat down with a heavy sigh. “That is hard.”  Thinking for a moment he asked, “but it would help me to become like you, right?”

“Yes, it would.”

“And I could still do all those other things to be able to make my contribution?”
”Yes you could.”

“Then I’ll do it.”  He said resolutely.  “I’ll take the body!  I want to become like you Father.  I love you!” 

His Father proudly pulled his son in for a big bear hug.  They held tightly for a long time.  Then Heavenly Father answered. “Now I think you’re ready.  I am so proud of you.  I love you.” 

Tears were mingled and their hearts united.  The man now felt he was ready too.

As the young deformed man in the little body sat watching, the realization of seeing his very own choice quickly dawned on him.  He felt the confirming truth burn in his heart that this really happened, and he really chose his circumstances.  He wept freely as all the bitterness bleed out of him.  When he was done, there was nothing left but understanding, gratitude, and resolve.  Now he knew what he had to do, and he was going to do it.

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Ok, so I ended up adding some of my own perspective and mission focus to that.  In writing this my own tears streamed down my face.  It is truly amazing how the Spirit can help me write.  I do know for myself that we each chose our families and our circumstances, knowing the risks that revolved around others choices.  I am so grateful for the peace and consolation that comes from trusting this truth.