Abide with Me
Hey there Friend!
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee
In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me
Abide with me, abide with me
Think about those words for just a minute. So powerful. The last few years have certainly been overwhelming and dark. But God, our unchanging God, is the constant source of peace and joy that we can always look to. He is the true source of joy that all of us are searching for.
When life seems too much to bear, when life feels heavy and burdens seem unending, God is there with open arms ready to receive us. He won't force himself upon us, but he is always ready and willing to be there for us when we reach out to him. He will truly abide with us. One of the definitions of abide is to accept or act in accordance with. When we accept God into our lives and live according to His commandments he will be with us. He will truly abide with us.
I've been asked why I choose to believe in a God who lets bad things happen? Why do I choose to live a strict life full of rules and commandments? My answer is this, I want God to abide with me. I want to have his love in my life. I want to feel like a warm blanket of comfort is surrounding me. I have felt this warmth. I have felt His love and nothing compares. The blessings I can get from keeping the commandments far outweigh what others may think I'm missing out on. I may not get to see all the fruit of my labors in this life. I am far from perfect and need the atonement in my life every single day, but I choose to keep fighting. Satan's attacks will not stop. He wants us to be miserable like he is. We have more power than him. I know in the end, good will triumph over evil. One day Christ will come again and when that day comes I hope I can stand by him in gratitude and with a feeling of belonging. I want to belong on his team. I want to abide with him and have him abide with me! I have seen too many miracles, too many tender mercies, too many wrong things made right because of the Savior that I cannot stand with him.
Blessings,