Which Leper are you?

I'm loving the New Testament lately, there is so much to be learned from the stories of Christ's earthly ministry.  I have been thinking quite a bit about the story of the 10 Lepers.  Theirs is one we are all familiar with, but may not entirely appreciate.  I know I didn't.  As I pondered what was to be learned from these 10 men, I thought of my own 'leprosy,' if you will.  Each of us has those spiritual ailments which we cannot heal on our own.  However, through our the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ, we can, as the lepers, be healed.  How we are healed is another conversation entirely, but today I want to talk about what happens after the healing.  Which leper are we going to be?  Are we the 9 who perhaps were grateful to be healed but chose to go on their way?  Or are we the one who showed that gratitude by turning back and falling to his knees.  This act of gratitude enabled His Lord to bless him further.  Not only was he healed, but he was made whole.  Complete.  Without blemish.  His was the greater reward because he chose to acknowledge what the Lord had done for him.  So often we ask for blessings and forget to give thanks to the One from whom those blessings flow.  The two most powerful words in the English language are, "thank you."  I hope that each of us will remember to turn back and glorify the God who gives us good gifts.  Gifts of healing, peace, and joy.  As we follow the example of the one leper - as we turn back in gratitude and follow steadfastly from that point on - we too will be made whole and gain salvation and eternal life with a loving Heavenly Father and our Savior - the givers of good gifts. 

The Parable of Peter

I think we can all relate a little to Peter on that dark stormy night out at sea.  It had been a long day, but a good one.  Serving with Christ as He fed the 5,000 on a mere 5 loaves and 2 fishes.  What a beautiful miracle.  He had seen Christ perform many.  And not even a day later, his peaceful day of being fed in (all senses of the word), there he was on a wind tossed sea.  It was late and someone called out, "Be not afraid."  With recognition Peter called out, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee  on the water."  "Come" was the reply.  It took one simple word and Peter stepped out onto the windy water.  His almost perfect faith allowed him to WALK ON WATER!  He did it! 

And then comes the relatable part... "when  he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid"  Peter started sinking.  How many of us after accomplishing something great begin to doubt ourselves?  We allow fear or inadequacy to cause us to sink?  I know I have.  I think I can understand what Peter felt as he sank in that dark stormy water.  He probably felt panic, maybe started to beat himself up for failing.  But he had two options.  Sink into the depths, or reach up.  Beautifully, Peter chose the latter.  "He cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him." 

In those moments of despair, we have 2 options.  And they are the same as Peter's.  Sink, or turn to the Savior.  The miracle of this story may be that Peter walked on water, but the even bigger miracle is that he did it again.  I love verse 32 of Matthew 14, "And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased."  How do you think Peter got back to the ship?  Do you think Christ dragged him along in the water?  I don't.  I am confident believing that Peter walked on water a second time, hand in hand with his Savior.  I know that sometimes we fall, but Jesus Christ is right there, within arms reach.  All we have to do is cry out, "Lord, save me."  He will never let us suffer a second longer than we need to grow.  And just like Peter, He will help us back to safety.