How do I share the power and peace of Jesus Christ?
How do I build positive spiritual momentum?
How do I choose how I will spend my time?
Hello! My name is Tiffany West. I feel the answers to these questions are intertwined, and like so much in the gospel of Jesus Christ, they build upon each other. The answer to all these questions starts with my desire and commitment to keeping my covenants, and the power of intent.
Most days I begin with prayer and scripture study. I pray to do at least one thing for the Lord, and for the strength and ability to receive and recognize inspiration and revelation. I then go through my day paying attention to the people and situations around me, and look for ways to build people up, and create unity. I also specifically look for ways to bring our Savior, Jesus Christ into conversation. There is something about just saying His name in reverence that can change situations and conversations. I look for meaningful ways to share how He has helped me in real life situations, especially ones that I share in common with others. I find that my finding strength and peace in Him, and then sharing my experience(s) can help others to find and feel strength and peace in Him too.
These experiences build spiritual momentum as I have joy in knowing the Lord trusts me to do His work and help His children. It drives me to study scriptures daily, to pray meaningfully, to seek His will, to serve in the temple, and to work for revelation. This in turn dictates how I choose to spend my time. I don't spend all day praying or reading scriptures or serving, but because my focus and intent is on my Savior, I find myself making time for those things in my day to ensure that I have His help to keep my covenants.
I also try to be flexible with my time when I receive inspiration. Sometimes inspiration is as easy as a quick compliment, smile, or simply noticing and greeting someone warmly. Sometimes it's a note or text or going to see someone perform (theatre, sports, recitals etc.). Other times I go to someone's home and end up talking for hours, or meet someone somewhere and take the time to really see them and listen to them. Sometimes it's inviting someone for a walk, or offering to watch their children. Each time I do any of those things, it is my intent to share the Savior's love with them. I believe this also shares the power and peace of Jesus Christ because I know that He is the only reason I am capable of doing any good.
I suppose, for me it all boils down to agency (I CAN choose), faith, intent, commitment, flexibility, and perseverance. Just like anyone else, my progression isn't a straight line up. I have highs and lows, times when I am more capable of sharing and serving, and times when I battle depression, discouragement, and doubt. There are times when I feel like I know how to receive revelation, and times when I feel like I just can't seem to hit the mark. I've learned though, that even in my lowest times, when I don't feel like I'm heard, or don't feel like trying, or don't feel like doing anything altruistic at all, I CAN choose to remember my experiences with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I CAN choose to pray. I CAN choose to share my love for Him. I CAN choose to build and repent. In these ways I maintain positive spiritual momentum, share the power and peace of Jesus Christ, and CHOOSE to spend my time both in times of spiritual abundance, and in times of spiritual winter. My favorite book is Jane Eyre, and I'll end with a quote from her that has helped me to stay true to my covenants, endure my trials and low points well, and come out the other side with greater faith, greater charity (ability to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ), and forward spiritual momentum.
"I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad—as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth—so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane—quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot."
I share this with all my love, and in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Most days I begin with prayer and scripture study. I pray to do at least one thing for the Lord, and for the strength and ability to receive and recognize inspiration and revelation. I then go through my day paying attention to the people and situations around me, and look for ways to build people up, and create unity. I also specifically look for ways to bring our Savior, Jesus Christ into conversation. There is something about just saying His name in reverence that can change situations and conversations. I look for meaningful ways to share how He has helped me in real life situations, especially ones that I share in common with others. I find that my finding strength and peace in Him, and then sharing my experience(s) can help others to find and feel strength and peace in Him too.
These experiences build spiritual momentum as I have joy in knowing the Lord trusts me to do His work and help His children. It drives me to study scriptures daily, to pray meaningfully, to seek His will, to serve in the temple, and to work for revelation. This in turn dictates how I choose to spend my time. I don't spend all day praying or reading scriptures or serving, but because my focus and intent is on my Savior, I find myself making time for those things in my day to ensure that I have His help to keep my covenants.
I also try to be flexible with my time when I receive inspiration. Sometimes inspiration is as easy as a quick compliment, smile, or simply noticing and greeting someone warmly. Sometimes it's a note or text or going to see someone perform (theatre, sports, recitals etc.). Other times I go to someone's home and end up talking for hours, or meet someone somewhere and take the time to really see them and listen to them. Sometimes it's inviting someone for a walk, or offering to watch their children. Each time I do any of those things, it is my intent to share the Savior's love with them. I believe this also shares the power and peace of Jesus Christ because I know that He is the only reason I am capable of doing any good.
I suppose, for me it all boils down to agency (I CAN choose), faith, intent, commitment, flexibility, and perseverance. Just like anyone else, my progression isn't a straight line up. I have highs and lows, times when I am more capable of sharing and serving, and times when I battle depression, discouragement, and doubt. There are times when I feel like I know how to receive revelation, and times when I feel like I just can't seem to hit the mark. I've learned though, that even in my lowest times, when I don't feel like I'm heard, or don't feel like trying, or don't feel like doing anything altruistic at all, I CAN choose to remember my experiences with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I CAN choose to pray. I CAN choose to share my love for Him. I CAN choose to build and repent. In these ways I maintain positive spiritual momentum, share the power and peace of Jesus Christ, and CHOOSE to spend my time both in times of spiritual abundance, and in times of spiritual winter. My favorite book is Jane Eyre, and I'll end with a quote from her that has helped me to stay true to my covenants, endure my trials and low points well, and come out the other side with greater faith, greater charity (ability to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ), and forward spiritual momentum.
"I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad—as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth—so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane—quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot."
I share this with all my love, and in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
By Tiffany West, Angel Crossing Ward
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