Awaken

Awaken 

There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon (Alma 5:7) that I have always loved.  Alma is teaching how he and his people were saved and delivered.  Alma said, " He (meaning God) changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them from a deep sleep and they awoke unto God." These were people who had experienced some very difficult things but when they heard a prophet teach them about Christ and forgiveness and repentance, they "woke up" from their old life and turned to a new one, one that included a change of heart.  They became new people from the inside out and it is that change that gave them the strength and courage to endure what they did.  

My Uncle has a beautiful home in Southern Utah.  The backyard sits up against a desert reserve for the desert tortoise.  In his living room, there is a huge window that offers a beautiful view of the desert and Snows Canyon.  At anytime of the day, the view is spectacular.  It feels as if you are in a postcard.  Sometimes I think about that view and  I realize, it is comfortable here, the a/c is on, there are no bugs, the couch is soft, water is within a few feet.  It seems I get the best of both worlds, I can enjoy the beauty of the desert without the inconvenience of nature.  But isn't that like being asleep?  In my life, I wonder if I have spent it being "asleep".  Don't get me wrong, I have a great life, I have the "nice view" (great family) and the "comfortable couch" (gospel) but sometimes I wonder what it is really like out there in the desert (meaning life experience not the world.)  It's hot.  There are bugs.  Water is scarce.  And a million other reasons that keep me safely inside looking out.  Then I read stories like Unbroken about Louis Zamperini.  He was a man who defied all odds and survived terrible circumstances being shipped wrecked and a POW during WWII.  He was also a very fast runner.  Did the mile in 4:08.  Growing up, he was a little wild but he had a good family and an older brother who watched out for him.  In other words, he had a "nice view" but he wasn't content sleeping behind the glass window so he set out for the "desert".  His journey into the desert took him many places, some of which he probably wished he didn't have to go but he did it and his life was made better for it.  After the war, he battled his own demons but later became an advocate and mentor for troubled teenage boys.  He "awoke unto God" and made his life and the lives of those troubled teens better, something he could not have done if he had stayed in "the living room with the nice view".  

It is pretty easy to get stuck and even fall asleep in the "living room with the nice view"  but the real living happens when we are in the desert.   I guess my question is can a person really "awaken unto God" without traveling in the desert?  After all, the "desert" has many things to offer along with the heat, the bugs, not much water there is also incredible views, amazing animals and plants, at night, the stars are beautifully bright, places to explore and the history of people long since gone.  If one is prepared, the desert can be an amazing place full of fun, adventure and learning but one must leave "the living room with a nice view" to see, no, experience it.

I wonder at this stage in my life, have a left my "living room with a view" to experience the "desert"?  Have I "awakened unto God"?  I think I have moments of awakening but I want to wake up and stay awake like the people of Alma, like Mr Zamperini. I guess that means I better strap on some good shoes (scriptures), plenty of water (prayer), open the door (faith) and head out on my journey (courage). That journey might include going back to school, learning new skills (my homemaking skills can use a little tune up! Ha), learn spanish, quilt, travel, write a book, run a sub 2 hour half (that one has been on my bucket list for a loooonnngggg time!) or a 10000 other things.  I think it is time to wander a bit in the desert...but I'll have my phone in case Cody needs to bring me water... HA!