My Living Christ

We had an assignment in a religion class I was taking to write our testimony in the form of the Living Christ. Here is mine:

 My Living Christ

A long time ago, before the world was, we lived and learned together from our Father in Heaven. Then, it was time for us to receive our mortal bodies and to experience live away from our Heavenly Parents. This was done that we might return and become as They are. To accomplish this purpose, Jesus Christ volunteered to come to Earth and die for our sins, that we could be washed clean and return to live in God’s presence. This meant that Christ would come to Earth, live a perfect and sinless life, and then suffer for every sin that we would commit while there in mortality.

While here on Earth, Christ performed many miracles, healing and strengthening everyone He came into contact with. He loved and taught everyone He met, even when they persecuted him for it. Near the end of His life, He completed the Atonement, suffering and atoning for every sin. He did this the first time in the Garden of Gethsemane with the help of angels, and once more on the cross He was hung from and where He then died. Christ, our Savior, was given the experience and the ability to know everything we have ever felt or been through so that He can perfectly succor and comfort us. Even though it was the hardest thing that any living being on Earth has ever gone through, He was still willing to go through with it, with the hope and the intent of saving every single one of His brothers and sisters from their sins.

Because Jesus Christ is a perfect being, He is the perfect exemplar of every good trait you could ever desire and strive to obtain. He is perfectly and relentlessly patient with us. He is willing to wait for us, no matter how long it takes. When we sin, and take steps away from the covenant path, He is right there waiting for us and loving us and helping us come back. He will never give up on you, and that is why you can never be too far away from Him. The moment you reach out and ask for help, He is there to embrace you and take your hand and lead you back to the right path. Every time. No matter what. He does this because He has endless, unconditional love for every one of us. Christ has seen everything that we are. He knew us before we can remember, and He knows who you are now. He understands every mistake you have made, and He loves you anyway. You have never, and will never, meet a person who Christ did not die for and does not love. And that includes yourself. That is my favorite thing about Him: He will never give up on me, and He will never stop loving me.

One of the foundational building blocks of my testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ care about me individually. They are infinitely aware of every detail of my life, from the unpleasant to the wonderful. When I have a hard day, they are there weeping with me. When I have a victory, big or small, I imagine them celebrating right along with me. Christ knows and understands my fears and worries and anxiety. He celebrates with me when I succeed and when I triumph over my trials and temptations. I know He is proud of me for every step I take in the right direction, no matter how big or small.

I know that Christ loves me, just as I am. I also know that He cares about me too much to let me stay as I am. He wants what is ultimately best for me, and He knows who I can become with His help. Oftentimes, this means that I am uncomfortable, or hurt, or sad, and He feels those things with me. However, He is also there to pick me up and dust me off and get me moving forward again. I can’t imagine this life without His help, and I can’t wait to see Him again.

Yours,

Raena Belle 🤍