Choosing the Way: Finding the Strength to Follow Christ in Every Field

There are moments when the weight of the world—the weight of our own shortcomings, the weight of misunderstanding, the weight of the challenges facing our ward, or even the weight of our own doubts—feels absolutely unbearable. We look around at the complexity of the modern world, at the sheer volume of information, and sometimes we feel utterly helpless.

It’s in those moments, when the noise gets too loud and the path ahead seems obscured by shadows, that I’m reminded of the profound, beautiful simplicity of choosing Christ. It’s a choice that echoes in the lyrics of Phil Wickham’s “The Jesus Way,” and it’s a choice that has anchored my own efforts in the field and in my personal discipleship.

When I first started my own missionary journey, I remember feeling so acutely aware of what I *didn't* know. I was worried about the tough questions, the cultural misunderstandings, the moments when my prepared talk just wouldn't land. I thought I needed to have all the answers, to be the perfect representative of the restored gospel. But the more I studied the scriptures, the more I realized that the power isn't in our perfect answers; it's in the power of the Savior's example.

The Power of Choosing Forgiveness and Grace

The song speaks of radical concepts: “If you curse me then I will bless you,” and “if you hate me then I will love you.” As Latter-day Saints, we are called to emulate that very standard. We are called to be ambassadors of the Atonement. This isn't just a nice sentiment for a Sunday talk; it’s the core mechanism of the gospel.

This week, as I was reviewing some material for a potential Book Club discussion in HolyPlaces, I kept circling back to the idea of *surrender*. It’s easy to try and control the outcome of a missionary discussion, or to manage every interaction with an investigator. But the gospel asks us to surrender the outcome to the Spirit, trusting that if we follow the pattern of Christ—love, forgiveness, grace—the Spirit will do the heavy lifting.

It’s a constant reminder, isn't it? That we are always learning how to be more Christlike. It’s not about being flawless; it's about choosing the path of least resistance to the Savior’s love. It’s choosing to love even when it costs us something, even when it feels illogical.

A Bite-Sized Skill for the Internet Missionary

If you are feeling the pressure of being an internet missionary this week, here is a small skill I want to pass along. When you feel yourself getting defensive or overly intellectual in a comment thread or online discussion, take a breath. Instead of formulating a perfect theological rebuttal, try to pivot the conversation back to the *feeling* of the gospel. Ask, "What does that concept make you feel?" or "What part of that resonates with your personal experience?" This shifts the focus from winning an argument to sharing the peace of the gospel. It’s a subtle but powerful shift, just like the Savior shifting the focus from sin to grace.

Remember, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Whether you are in the MTC, in your home, or just scrolling through social media, you have the power to choose that way.

If you are looking for deeper study on this, I highly recommend diving into the teachings on the Atonement found in the Book of Mormon. If you haven't already, check out the LivingBook and explore the scripture_insight community feed related to Alma and the Savior's ministry. It's a wonderful place for social scripture study!

If you feel the Spirit nudging you toward deeper study, I invite you to join a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. Let's wrestle with these concepts together!