Reflections from Sunday School

Parable One: 
As illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son, we all experience quite the range of mortal situations, particularly trials and challenges for growth. Some of us may experience watching our children turn away from Christ and His teachings. Others may experience the burden of trying to be faithful disciples and pulling more than our fair share. And at some point, each of us will experience godly sorrow for mistakes and sins we've committed.

The beautiful thing about the atonement of Jesus Christ though, is that it is so powerful, so infinite, so perfectly whole, that it can take all of these experiences--and any other experience we have or may experience--and make it work together for our good.

Parable Two:
When we learn about the Workers in the Vineyard, we often focus on the (in)justice and mercy of the reward distributed at the end of the work day. I've come to learn though, that so much of God's plan for us is designed so that we not only benefit from the reward at the end of the "work day," but from the growth and development we can experience from the work.

It would not be heaven if we have been given "mansions on high" and "worlds without numbers" but we struggle with low self-esteem, we cannot control our tempers, we are enslaved by addictions, we covet what's not ours, we're crippled by fear and depression, etc.

God's grace is manifested in the reward. But even more so, maybe it's manifested in His atoning power that helps us line upon line, work and try and change and work some more and repent and learn and work again and try and become.

Maybe the true reward is the work, and with the help of Jesus Christ, the opportunity to become even as He is.