Uneasy at Church?

puzzling... 
sometimes we get a lot out of church. other times we dont.
Usually for me it goes from either feeling super uplifted and filled and excited! to being bored (but thats my fault)

Today I went to church, but as I sat through the first of three meetings, I noticed I wasnt exactly focused. (It can be easy to get distracted after a long week and things on your mind. Or even just getting a poor nights sleep..)

By the end of the first meeting I felt uneasy.. like almost anxious. I was trying to figure out, is this me? or is this God?

I left the main Sunday school and tried a smaller Sunday school class. Sat down, made friendly conversation. Still felt uneasy. I excused myself before the meeting began and sat in the hallway. At this point I felt frustrated.


 I came to church to feel peace, or at least not this. 
I was praying to know what to do. Is there something I need to change or do? Am I not in the right place right now? The thought came to me (as it had a few times in the past few weeks) should I go to the Singles ward?? (A congregation just for the young single adults in the church to go to)

So, I walked out to the car and drove over to the other building. I sat in the hallway for 10 minutes just listening to the speakers of their first meeting. One started his talk, and I started to feel the spirit, I started to feel at peace. It didnt last long, but it was a little reassuring. I walked in for the last 15 minutes and didnt know exactly how I felt..

I saw a friend I knew on the stand who spoke before I got there, and I went straight up to her when the meeting was over and asked for a hug. It was just what I needed.

We went to Sunday School together, but I didnt know how long I would stay if the same feelings came back.  Partway through someone asked a question, one that I had received a specific answer for in the past that really made a difference for me. I felt the spirit burning in me, and shared my thoughts. Finally, PEACE. I felt so good...

 

 
Sometimes God pushes us in a way or a direction we dont understand. Sometimes we have to do the best we can and trust He will eventually get us where we need to be. Sometimes God puts us in specific places, but as I learned today in church: Everything God does for us is to ultimately make us Happy. I still dont know why I was led there, but I trust that God has a reason.

and I believe that to be true...

the Gospel: the Good News.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or the good news that He came to atone for my sins and died and raised up again so that I could have the chance to live with God again and be completely and wonderfully happy, 

do I really rejoice in it?

How incredible it is to know truth. Especially in a world that is always changing. To know principles of faith and love and hope, of God and Christ and miracles. For those who know a little more or a little less than that. For those who even desire to know truth. What a gift!

How much do I lean on my beliefs and faith? My testimony- the things I have grown to believe are true to one degree or another.

Where do I turn when things are getting rocky, or even hopeless as they can often seem?



Do I pick up my scriptures? Do I bow my head and open the channels of Heaven? Do I admit to God that I cannot do it on my own and I need Him? Do I trust that He will guide me? Am I grateful for my weaknesses and struggles? Do I go out and try to do good, lift my eyes for someone I could lift for Christ?


So What am I waiting for?! What are WE waiting for...
Come join me and partake of the goodness of God and His Good News!

(At left: Al Fox. This women has been an inspiration to me recently. She fills my soul with sunshine when she speaks!)

Take a minute and watch, 

we all need a little sunshine:

 

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

Sunday May 5 2013

Today I went to see the church leader that presides over the congregation, called a bishop. I went in feeling really down, my spirits were low to the point that my exhaustion was weighing me down even more. I told him what was on my mind and what was troubling me. He gave me advice and lovingly encouraged me. I asked him a question about specific guidance from the Lord, what I should do. He said that I didn’t need to do anything different, and then he paused for a moment. He then proceeded to tell me what I needed to hear. He asked me questions that, unless prompted by the Lord through the Holy spirit, he would not have thought to ask. This comforted me, both knowing what I needed to work on, and that Heavenly Father was aware of me and He works through the leaders of His church to help His children on earth.




This makes me more aware of the power of the Holy Spirit, of the calling from God that my bishop has, and the authority to preside over the members of my congregation. 

This was just one instance today that I felt the hand of the Lord lifting me up. By the end of church, I felt peace that I did not come with, I had energy that I would not have imagined, and the strength to lift up my head and walk out into the world and face it again. This is one of the biggest reasons I Love going to church. We are healed and lifted and taught and loved.

As we search for Him, as we knock and ask for help, humble ourselves enough to kneel at His feet, He will reach our outstretched hand and joyfully lift us up.


I am learning this to be true.