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Friday, January 20, 2012

What will happen when you're focused on what matters most

Heaven or hell
Is there such a thing
Or just a tall tale
That im believing

Truth or lies
I just don’t know
Motivation dies
I want to let go

I seek to find
But still no answer
If life’s divine
Or just earths cancer

The world’s desires
They seem to be
What life requires
To be set free

Give up give in
Do what u want
No such thing as sin
Or a devil to haunt

The world will say
And put in your mind
Live for today
Leave the past behind

Others have said
Do what’s right
Cause once you’re dead
That’s the end of the fight

And those in sin
Are on a slippery slope
They have died within
And have lost all hope

So praise the lord
It’s the only way
You can’t afford
In the end you’ll pay

So now the battle
Between right and wrong
Are we just cattle
Being pushed along

Or is there hope
For something more
Or just the end of the rope
At the casket door

So before I die
I must make a choice
So this is my cry
To hear your voice

So lord if your there
Please show me the way
Please answer my prayer
That I pray today

Why am I here
Where will I go
Why do I fear
What I don’t know

Ryan Davis

That is a poem I wrote shortly before the journal pages talked about below.

About 2 months ago I was downstairs in the basement going through some papers and I came across 5 old journal pages that I had ripped out of, what is now, my mission journal.  I wrote them about 3 years ago and what was said in them hit me pretty hard. In those journal entries I talked about how I honestly didn’t know if God even existed or whether or not Christ is really our savior. I said that I wanted to know if the Book of Mormon was really true. I finally after many years of being away from the church wanted to know for myself if there was any merit to the teachings that I had been raised with. It was at that time I decided that I was going to put it all to the test and that I was going to do all that was necessary to get that answer. I ended that journal entry as a prayer and cry for help to a God that at that time I wasn’t even sure existed. After having read that I looked up and I was in a white shirt and tie wearing a name tag that not only says Elder Davis but boldly bears the name of Christ. Very different from my feelings 3 years previous I couldn’t believe that I, Ryan Davis, am now a missionary that is out sharing with the world what I now know to be true. That alone is a miracle. The thought came to mind look how far you have come. It was a powerful witness and realization of the power that our saviors sacrifice and atonement has to bring about change within our hearts.
Today tomorrow and for the rest of my life I will boldly stand as a witness of the reality of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that there is a prophet that leads and guides us each day. I know for myself through my own experiences that both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are indeed the word of God. That no matter where we are in life they can bring about a change within you that you may have thought impossible or didn’t know existed. I am proud to bear the name of Christ for these two years as a missionary as well as for the rest of my life. If it wasn’t for the Gospel of Jesus Christ my life would still be as hollow and meaningless as it was 3 years ago. Because of Christ we have purpose, because of Christ we have potential, because of Christ we have hope, because of Christ I have joy, because of Christ my life has changed and it has changed in ways I never thought possible. He truly does make the impossible become possible. I know this to be true with all of my heart and so can you…
Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, pray he is there, speak he is listening. Without a doubt he has answered mine and he will answer yours as well.
I am so grateful to be out here testifying of the truths that have changed my life.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Where's Our Focus?

 
In this busy world it is hard to not get caught up in all the things that draw our focus away from what really matters most. All too often we lose our focus on the meaningless things of life.  My question for you today is Where Is Your Focus? Recently I witnessed the passing away of a dear friend.  Though he lived a long and full life it was only a short part of his existence and a stepping stone to the infinite purpose and potential that our Heavenly Father has planned for us. There are only a few things that we are able to take with us as we pass out of this mortal existence that is our spirit, the desires of our heart, and the knowledge and love that we gained during our short journey here on earth. Minutes before my friend had left us he kept repeating the words, Lord Help ME Lord Help Me. He left this life with a prayer in his heart and his wife by his side. When it comes down to those last pivotal moments of life I ask you what will be on your mind and in your heart. I think it’s safe to assume that it won’t be your car and it won’t be the stuff on the shelves in the garage or home. Those meaningless possessions won’t come running to give you comfort and wont morn over the loss of a friend or family member. This life is too short to lose our focus on that which doesn’t matter. Take a step back, slow things down for a moment and refocus in on the things of eternal significance.

Elder Ryan Davis