In my church, members fast on the first Sunday of every month and donate the money saved on meals to those who are in need. We also have a testimony meeting on that day, when members of the congregation are free to come up to the podium and share their thoughts and beliefs about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As I've mentioned before, my husband is the bishop (lay leader) of a congregation of youth from ages 18 to 30, and one of these young people bore a testimony recently that I'd like to share with all of you. He works as an insurance adjuster/estimator, meaning that he is the guy from your insurance company who looks your car over after an accident and determines how much it will cost to repair. Apparently, damages range from a few dents or scratches to completely bent axles or cracked frames, and I really like the simple analogy he drew:
We all get anything from a few dings to major damage to our cars at one time or another, and insurance companies pay the price to have them fixed. Occasionally, our vehicles are totaled, meaning that the value of the car is less than the price to repair it. At that point, the car is considered a complete loss and written off.
As people, every one of us carries anything from a few dings to some major damage ourselves. We get broken, and repentance (made possible through the atonement) is Christ paying the price to fix us. Unlike our vehicles, however, we can never be totaled, no matter the devastation. We will never be written off, because our value is inestimable. God's children are of infinite worth, and Christ will pay whatever it takes to reclaim us. In fact, He already has.
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10).
18 comments:
That's a great analogy, Sue! We had a pretty good testimony meeting ourselves down here. This month it was a bunch of really nicely organized thoughts and spirit lifting testaments. I came home feeling refreshed, happy, and optimistic.
smiles...we will never be written off...yep, just read another blog where they were talking about falling throughthe cracks but still remaining within his sight...
So wonderful...sometimes the "dings" are on the inside...not visible to the rest of us! But he knows...
Needed this today, thanks Sue.
That was well done - one wise young man.
I like this analogy very much. It is just so true. We are never written off. It's a good thing too, because, for the most part, human nature is often weak. To know that our God will never forsake us helps us to deal with unforseen problems that sometimes we must face.
That gives me goosebumps!
Great thought.
On Sunday one of the Stake Presidency came and explained what a testimony is and isn't...I guess there's a problem with people giving travel logs, life experiences instead of truly giving a testimony. It sure focused many there and the one you shared fit perfectly for a good testimony. Thanks for sharing it!
Great insight. Love it when I hear things like that from the wise of the young.
that is beautiful! what a wonderful lesson and great way to put it.
beautiful!
We do get dinged up, but never totaled in His eyes. Love it!
Kerianna came home and told me about that testimony on Sunday. Great message.
That is a beautiful analogy. Thanks so much for sharing it.
That is beautiful! What a simple way to put it. Russell M. Ballard said that really understanding something means you can explain it in a way a child will understand. I think he understands it perfectly. And through you has helped many more understand it. Thank you for sharing.
Whoever knew that an anology could be made out of Insurance - Ha Ha.
If we could all see the dings we have and then look at how we keep going we could really see all that we have to be grateful for!!
I am happy I will never be called Totalled:-D
Wow, that was a great analogy. I loved the thoughts and it is so true. It was a great testimony of the Atonement.
You are a very busy person if your husband is the Bishop of a singles ward; I did realize that.
I love that idea that we are never written off.
Beautifully said!! I'm so thankful this truth in my life :)
Blessings,
Marcia
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