photo #7772503

When we are first initiated into the church as self-aware people, the carrot that is dangled in front of us is often the things that the Lord will provide for us; eternal paradise, deliverance from evil and unconditional love. Very rarely do new comers reflect on what is expected of us in return, and how simple it can be to fulfill those requirements.The irony, of course, is that if each of us acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly, we would have eternal paradise, deliverance from evil and unconditional love for one another. Yet why is that reserved for the afterlife and not now?We have free will so that these skills may be learned. That we can be sculpted by life’s lessons and the opportunities we are given to do good for one another, especially those that can do no good and need saving.Does God ask too much of us? At times, it may seem impossible to live the way that He wants us to. But it is during those times it is the most important to live that way. It is then that we truly learn the patience, humility, and charity that we will take with us when we are in Heaven.Is it really so difficult to love our neighbors? To act justly? To be humble? It isn’t hard to be a good person if that is your one goal. It becomes easy to avoid distraction and temptation when you realize that these things hinder your one true goal.Stop and think about which one is actually more difficult: living as God intends, with faith, mercy and love, or living a life without.