I Believe

This post will be a bit more of a religious nature, so if that's not appealing to you, just wait for a future post :).

Today's title is taken from a song by Christina Perri (I know, I should really branch out more...but this is really good!).  Below is a video and lyrics:

I believe if I knew where I was going I’d lose my way
I believe that the words that he told you are not your grave
I know that we are not the weight of all our memories
I believe in the things that I am afraid to say

Hold on, hold on

I believe in the lost possibilities you can see
And I believe that the darkness reminds us where light can be
I know that your heart is still beating, beating, darling
I believe that you fell so you would land next to me

‘Cause I have been where you are before
And I have felt the pain of losing who you are
And I have died so many times, but I am still alive

I believe that tomorrow is stronger than yesterday
And I believe that your head is the only thing in your way
I wish that you could see your scars turn into beauty
I believe that today it’s okay to be not okay

Hold on, hold on

‘Cause I have been where you are before
And I have felt the pain of losing who you are
And I have died so many times, but I am still alive

This is not the end of me, this is the beginning [x4]
(Hold on)
This is not the end of me, this is the beginning
(Hold on)
This is not the end of me, this is the beginning
(Hold on (I am still alive))

Although I'm sure Christina Perri didn't intend for it to be that way, I feel like this is a wonderful description of my relationship with God.

I believe that God will guide me one step at a time.  I believe that He does this so that I don't lose my way trying to get to a far off vision through complex terrain.  

I believe that we are more than the opinions of others.  I believe that the only opinion that truly matters is His.

I know that we are more than the sum of our mistakes.  I believe in repentance and that it is real.  We are more than our past.

I believe in a lot of far off hopes and dreams that sometimes I am afraid to say.  Like Abraham, who, "when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went", I trust that I will be led to the things of which I am almost afraid to speak.

I believe I need to hold on.

From a great talk by Elder Holland

I believe in "lost" possibilities that are hard to see sometimes.  I believe that all things can be turned for our good in time.

I believe that there is great darkness in the world, but also great light, hope, peace, and joy to be found.  The darkness can guide us to that light by recognizing the darkness and turning away from it.

I know that my heart is still growing and changing.  There is much to grow and do still.  I believe that I can become better through the atonement with every beat.

I believe that we fell from the presence of God for a purpose and that we can, in time, get back to Him.  He did not cast us out without providing a way back.  We fell so we could land, in time, next to Christ in Glory and Power.

I believe He has been where we are before.  I believe He has felt every pain, possibly the worst being losing who you truly are.  I believe that He felt every pain and suffered death for us, and that He rose again from the dead and is still alive.

I believe that through Him, tomorrow can be, through repentance, stronger than yesterday.

I believe that the only great thing in our way is our head and pride.  I believe that we can come to God "with full purpose of heart, and [He] will heall [us]."

I believe that, through the Atonement of Christ, our scars can turn into beauty.  I believe we can be healed.

I believe that healing takes time and that, sometimes, it's okay to be not okay.  I believe that God works with you, especially in those moments when we are most hurt.

I believe that each time we turn to God is not the end of us, but the beginning.  It is the beginning of being who we were meant to be.  It is the beginning of hope and light and peace.  Hold on.  He is still alive.

Why thank you, Scholar Bunny, I thought so too.

I have a great deal of faith.  There is a lot that I don't understand, and a lot that I don't know, but I believe.  And that is enough.  I want to be believing.  I want to be child-like and simple in my faith.  

So let me round out a few things more that I believe.

I believe in a God.  I believe that He is a loving Heavenly Father.  I believe that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I believe in "Christ Jesus."  I believe that He is literally the Son of the Eternal God.  I believe that He suffered the pains of life, death, and hell to bring us to God.  I believe that He lives and has us ever present.

I believe in modern day apostles and prophets, beginning, but not ending with, Joseph Smith, Jr.

I believe in and have seen miracles, both great and small, in my life and the lives of those around me.

I believe with my whole heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one True and Living Church of God on the earth today.

I wanted to say, in the most straightforward language that I could muster, I believe.  Even when I have felt like I have been at the bottom of the pit, walking through the very valley of the shadow of death in my life, I have believed.  I always will.

This is who I am.

If you want to know more, please visit Mormon.org.  You can start with my profile there by clicking on the "about my faith" link on the right side of this page. :)