Keep the Change

Keep the Change

by Sister Becky Craven

“[Jesus Christ] gives us much, much more than the value of what we can ever return to Him. So, what can we give to Him, who paid the incalculable price for our sins? We can give Him change. We can give Him our change.

… So, unlike the purchaser at the market who would take back the change we offer, our gracious Savior beckons us to keep the change. …”

One illustration particularly stood out to me in this talk, is followings:

“When I was younger, I visualized myself walking along an upward, vertical path toward my goal of eternal life. Each time I did or said something wrong, I felt myself sliding down the path, only to start my journey all over again. It was like landing on that one square in the children’s game Chutes and Ladders that slides you down from the top of the board back to the beginning of the game! It was discouraging! But as I began to understand the doctrine of Christ⁵ and how to apply it daily in my life, I found hope.”

This resonated with me so much, because I have felt the same way. It is like life that I am constantly climbing, try to get higher. When I make a mistake, I feel like I slide back down to the bottom of the hill and have to start all over.

It gives me a kind of feeling as like I am forever climbing a hill. And, it is so tiring whenever I think that the forever summit of the hill is so far away from what I currently stand now.

But as I was growing in the Church, I recognize that this is a silly thought of mine. Instead of seeing life’s quest as climbing a hill, look at it as a path I am on. If I stray from the path, I can just move back on. I do not have to go all the way back to the beginning of the path and start over. When I think of my mistakes this way, I realize that I do not need to beat myself up; I just need to move back over and onto the path.

“Jesus Christ has given us a continuous pattern for change. He invites us to exercise faith in  Him, which inspires us to repent. As we repent and turn our hearts to Him, we gain a greater desire to make and live sacred covenants. We endure to the end by continuing to apply these principles throughout our lives and inviting the Lord to change us.

“Enduring to the end means changing to the end. I am not starting over with each failed attempt, but with each try I am continuing my process of change.”

“Small but steady, deliberate changes will help us improve. Do not become discouraged. Change is a lifelong process. I am grateful that in our struggles to change, the Lord is patient with us.”

“Through Jesus Christ, we are given the strength to make lasting changes. As we humbly turn to Him, He will increase our capacity to change.”

This way of seeing my personal growth gives me more hope. Being mortal, I will deviate from the path, but I can quickly repent and get back on track.