I have been waiting for a few days to take in what I learned about in Sunday School this past week... and then wondering what it is that would be of meaning and interest to you.
This lesson was about the dream Lehi had about the Tree of Life...how he shared the dream with his family, and how his family reacted in various ways.
Below is a link of an image of this concept....from yahoo..
I don't know the level of awareness you may or may not have with this dream... so I want to just give a brief recap of the events. You can read about it in further detail from the scriptures themselves in 1st Nephi chapters 8 through 11. It is an amazing account if you want to take a moment ... and you don't need to be a member of the LDS faith to appreciate the love that Lehi has for his family as he wonders and worries about their relationship with the Lord.
http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8.11?lang=eng#10
Essentially, after Lehi has this dream about some of his family walking the path to the tree and those who chose to not take the walk... he gathers his family together to talk about it. Nephi took this dream to heart and prayed about the meaning, and the Lord gave him the interpretation of what each thing symbolized.
The Tree: Jesus Christ
The Rod of Iron: scriptures, the words of God
The Great Building: the pride of the world
The Mist: the temptations and trials
The Fruit on the Tree: The Love of God
The River of Filthy Water: The sins, the despair, the loss of hope
Of course, Nephi's older brothers were offended and very grumpy that the Lord had shared this with Nephi, and not them...to which Nephi simply asked them if they themselves had inquired of the Lord....ummm, no, guess not...nevermind then.
So here is what I am getting from the lesson of the Tree of Life for me, at this juncture in my life as I process the world around me.
Here's the thing. I want and need some of that fruit from the tree.... This I clearly know.
I also understand and respect that not everyone wants the 'Love of God'...which is their own decision..and I'm just not that person who is all about getting involved in trying to convince/manipulate another into something that they believe has no value for their life...
I have to be real with myself... I have limited energy, time, money.... and to be frankly honest, I personally believe in respecting the choices of others. I put it out there...invite, share and encourage.... and then it is for them to choose if they want to walk the path along with me towards some of that most desired fruit.
I will not drag someone along the path whilst they are kicking and screaming. Then what ...? shove the fruit down their throat once we get there ? No, that makes no sense to me. Jesus said "I stand at the door and knock" which means to me He is a respector of personal choice, and will not force His way into our hearts. We must invite him in.
Anyway, back to the hike, I have noticed that some folks get all insecure and freaked out by those who have zero desire for reaching the tree and obtaining the Love of God... as if it somehow diminishes the value of the fruit unless we get it validated by others..
Not so much for me. Yes...of course I do want to enjoy the feast with others....and yes, no worries, there is plenty there for us all...
However, I really have had some moments of standing there all alone with my fruit and wow, it has tasted and felt beyond all compare delicious....which is why I go again and again on the path to the tree....
Sometimes I find myself with a group of hikers who inspire and keep me focused as I stumble and trip all over myself while trying to hold to the rod which will lead me there ....and sometimes I walk only with the Holy Ghost and my ancestors who watch over me.
So, my rowdy question often is .." Are we there yet..?" because I yearn to be at the tree...but 'my bad'... that is only part of the moment... I need to be more wise and remember the journey there, and how critical it is that I prove to the Lord and to myself that I am worthy of His trust.....:)
(you will notice I did not say...'worthy of His Love' because you and I already have His love...we are His children already and the atonement was done for all of us already....)
I need improve and grow which will increase my level of trust in myself. I need to make wise hiking friends and smart decisions so that I can actually arrive and partake of this fruit with peace, joy and hope.
I want to say if I may, that I love the hiking friends I have at this time soooo much. Thanks all ya'll for being there for me and for letting me be there for you.
It's the little things like sunscreen, bug repellent, a foot massage, carrying one of the children on our shoulders...and sometimes singing a song along the way...that make the journey there so delightful and do-able.
Here is the music Kimber and I listened to while preparing this blog for sharing..:)
http://lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=274&searchsubseqstart= &searchseqend=274&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
Hold to the Rod, the Iron Rod..tis strong and bright and true, the iron rod is the Word of God, twill safely guide us through...
Love, Cynthia
John and I had a great debate about if the trip to the tree is a one time journey or if it happens many times... :)
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