22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
This story of faith comes from Matthew 14. Most of us will not have the opportunity to walk on water toward our Savior Jesus Christ but there is a very important reason Matthew included this story into his record. (PS it isn't because he walked on water and although that is amazing there is a more important reason.) Whatever our age, circumstance, or stage in life we will all face trials that test our faith. Maybe you are an 18 year old missionary who left his family behind for two years or perhaps you just lost your job and don't know how you will pay the rent next month. As an 18 year old young man, intrepid and brave- it is relatively easy to say 'Of course I want to go on a mission!" or "I will go where you want me to go Lord!" Just like when Peter asked if he could come walk out on the Water to Jesus. When things are going smooth heck everyone has major faith!! However just a verse later in comes the description of the scene. Matthew mentions the winds got boisterous. Peter, being a man of large stature probably wouldn't be swayed by a small little breeze. I can only imagine the powerful gale and torrential weather that befell them. In life all of us will have moments when the winds get tough. The important thing to remember is that Jesus Christ, our Savior is ALWAYS there. His arm outstretched. All it takes is one more step one more struggle. Christ wants nothing more than our best. And life, definitely will take you to that point. Now of course it's one thing just to write or say this and a completely different thing to put it into action. I can affirm to anyone reading this that a mission is not easy in the slightest. Every missionary has different struggles and challenges but nonetheless a mission goes against the natural inclinations of every 18/19 year old kid. Anyone who knows me knows that I love the Rocky movies. (My mom doesn't because me and Connor would always punch each other after watching them) But in the most recent Rocky movie there is a scene that I really enjoy
[Son]
I know that’s not what you wanna do, but that’s just the way that it is. Don’t you care what people think? Doesn’t bother you that people…are making you out to be joke and that I’ll be included in that? Do you think that’s right? Do you?
I know that’s not what you wanna do, but that’s just the way that it is. Don’t you care what people think? Doesn’t bother you that people…are making you out to be joke and that I’ll be included in that? Do you think that’s right? Do you?
[Father]
You ain’t gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here.
You ain’t gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here.
I’d hold you up to say to your mother, “This kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew.” And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilege. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow.
Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!
I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain’t gonna have a life. Don’t forget to visit your mother.
Now in my case its "Don't forget to email ya mother" but nevertheless the principle stands. Its so true that whoever you are life will beat you to your knees in probably more than one way. We just have to keep on pushing and take the hits. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just waking up, getting out of bed, and fighting the urge to give up and go home. There is a guy in the ward here in Falcon named Brother Levesque. He is a good man. He was baptized at age 30 I believe. This week at church was testimony meeting and that is when the stand is open to anyone who wishes to go up and bear their testimony. He bore his testimony of what he calls "the bedrock gospel" . He testified that (from experience) life is tough with or without the gospel with or without Jesus in your life. Being frank - in his words he said "You would be stupid to try and tackle life by yourself!" Brother Levesque was an Army Intelligence agent in Panama, Nicaragua, and other places all over the world. He quite literally tried to tackle life's challenges by himself haha.
Our ward mission leader is a District Attorney for El Paso County and he keeps saying I should be a lawyer. He said Law School applicants are down 80% this year.
All in all life is what you make it. "It's not about how hard you hit its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward". I testify that no one can get hit too hard for our Heavenly Father. There is ALWAYS someone who is there watching out for us. He loves us so much he sent his only son to die for us, so that we might live again (Read John 3:16). With so much turmoil and unrest in the world I exhort all to find out for yourself God's love for us. I testify that he does love us ad he knows us each by name. He knows the trials we face and the miracles we enjoy. He wants nothing more than for us to be able to live with him again someday.
Love to all
Elder Clancy
P.S. By the way tomorrow is my 2 month mark! 22/24 haha. November 3rd is our next transfer.
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