Our Personal "Bail Out" Program

In this world full of turmoil, once again, I am filled with a deep sense of joy and purpose. Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with doom and gloom... questions about our economic future... and mixed messages about where our country is headed and what we can do about it. I know it is easy to be overwhelmed by all of this. I also know that all things in life occur to teach us lessons and help us progress towards our ultimate goal of eternal life. We simply must choose to follow the spirit and let the Lord guide us through the seemingly never-ending trials. This global financial crisis is no exception to this theory. As I have contemplated all of this in recent months and weeks, I have drawn some parallels with what is going on in Washington D.C. to my own personal life and my beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

First of all a quick recap... Over the last several years and because of some very bad choices by many people in high places, we have a financial crisis in this country. The people at the crux of this complex mess are looking to the government for a "bail out" program that will rescue them from their woes and pay the looming debt. This can and does affect all of us. But since this is not an economics lesson, or a political opinion column, I won't expound on that now ;)

What I have come to realize is that this situation is not very different from the cycle that we are all prone to in our own lives. We all make decisions that are less than perfect everyday. Sometimes, patterns of bad choices put us in situations where we need to be "bailed out" spiritually (or otherwise). We need help getting back to higher ground so we can try again to do what is right. The good news of the Gospel is that our "bail out" program has already been approved and executed!! The debt has been paid! All we have to do is take advantage. The Lord has already paid the price for our mistakes and our pain. And through him, we can find comfort and relief from those things that bring us down. The offer never expires and it is never too late. In other words, we can't look to the world for happiness or stability. We have to first look to the condition of our own personal lives to find joy and comfort. If there is no joy or comfort to be found, all we have to do is ask and the Lord will help us find it. (May I suggest starting by counting our blessings) We have to do the best we can to better ourselves and our family and not let Satan's workings consume our thoughts and affect our actions. Easier said than done... I know... trust me. But, when those clouds of err hang over, our reprieve is easy to find. The Atonement is eternal.

Along with this I have discovered an additional "metaphor" if you will. As I briefly listen to political banter on the radio or news from time to time, I have learned a bit about this "bail out package" that is being contemplated by our government. I am no expert, but apparently, there are many details of the countless page program that are being argued within the halls of government. There are clauses that ride on the coat-tails of this package that are irrelevant and self-serving to politicians. In contrast, the atonement is flawless! There are no strings attached... just blessings for following along. That is not to say that it is easy, but profoundly pure and simple nonetheless. And definately worth it for all we can attain both in this life and the life hereafter.