Be YOU

          This week we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We celebrate the fact that the tomb is empty and that He lives. Because of Him, we have the opportunity to become like Him. He broke the bands of death, He leads and loves us today. A couple of weeks ago we had a Zone Training Meeting where we were taught how to become. Our zone leader walked up to the chalk board and began to draw a very simple diagram.

Thoughts---------->Actions ---------->Habits-----------> Character

       
 The Book of Mormon not only testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ, it teaches us how we can become like Him. In Mosiah 4: 30 King Benjamin warns us to watch our thoughts. No action we make will ever happen without it first being a thought. There is power in our thoughts, they become who we are. I can still remember my Cross Country coach in high school telling us constantly that "As you think, so you become." We are what we think. This Easter season we invite all to turn their thoughts to our Savior, to become even as He is. 

          As we change our thoughts to mirror our Savior, the actions we take will change as well. Actions that would have reflected the world around us will change to reflect He who created the world. We will choose to serve one another, love one another and lift one another each day. Our words will be kinder, sweeter and helpful rather than hurtful. Christ taught us to lift where we stand.

           Our actions lead us to our habits. Elder Alvin R. Dyer once said:

"Man is the sum result of what he thinks and does. Habit is the instrument that molds his character and makes of him essentially what he is. Habit can become a monster to tarnish and destroy, yet proper behavioral traits can bring lasting joy and achievement. To say no at the right time and then stand by it is the first element of success."

Habits are like the autopilots of our lives. What actions do you do without even thinking? When I wake up, I roll out of bed, say my prayers, get ready to exercise and brush my teeth without even opening my eyes. Auto pilot kicks in every morning, pushing me through my groggy, not-awake-yet moments of the day. These habits have been ingrained by daily consistency. It takes 21 days to make or brake a habit, but once established it will take over our actions and build into our character.

         Character, is defined in the Websters Dictionary as "the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality." As we focus our thoughts on the words of Christ, and change our actions to mirror His actions, we will develop habits that will help us take on Christ's character. The character of Christ is to turn outward when the natural man would turn inward. Christ never thought about himself, he never acted in a way that would benefit him or cast the glory on himself. Christ turned the glory to His Father and He always acted in a way that benefited mankind. 

How will you allow Him to change you?

#BecauseofHim

Click the link to see how Christ changed the world.