Christ
2 min read
I once heard a little boy say:
“You like Jesus.”
Instead of the typical:
“Jesus loves you.”
That change of words, so unintentional, took me completely by surprise. It was such a simple yet insightful observation that, strangely enough, it made me want to visit the temple more often.
A Savior who wants to be with you
We usually say:
“Jesus loves you.”
It's a phrase we already know and generally believe. But sometimes, by repeating it so much, it can lose its power. It can become something we say without thinking much, and even difficult to truly feel.
After all, our Heavenly Parents and the Savior love everyone. Their love is perfect, like that of ideal parents.
But, as some human relationships show, sometimes you can love someone… without necessarily liking them! And that perception of love “out of obligation” (like when you think, “Of course, you love me because you have to”) can make adoration feel impersonal.
Perhaps you thought:
As if heaven were far away, and one were not entirely welcome.
I too have had that distorted image of divine love, and it has often discouraged me from going to the temple.
But the Savior and our Heavenly Parents don't just want us to come to Them because They love us. They want us to draw near because They enjoy being with us.
They want to spend time with you
They like you.
A Savior who awaits you with joy
What if we imagined the Savior waiting at the temple door, excited for your arrival? What if He doesn't just want you to go to the temple because there's work to be done or because it will be good for you, but because He truly wants to be with you?
Yes, Jesus tells us, “You are my sheep,” and guides us with divine and perfect love. But he also tells us, “You are my friends.” And he loves us joyfully, beyond any formal obligation.
His sheep are not just a number. They are people he knows, loves, and cherishes. And his 'friends' are those who sincerely choose him. Those who believe he knows them personally and want to know him better. Those who take seriously his promise: “Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.”
So allow yourself to believe it:
You like Jesus.
He wants to be with you.
He enjoys your company as much as he values your efforts to serve him. How else can you explain that he has done so much to invite you into his house and bring you back home?
Go and spend time with Him. Believe that He wants you there, in His temple. I'm sure you'll leave feeling acknowledged, lovingly embraced… and very, very special.
resorce LDS Living
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