There comes a time in many lives when we feel completely alone, burning down in a cold and dark night. While others may come to try to rescue us, it feels that the damage and pain in our lives is irreparable. The pain seems to last a long time. The damage is assessed, plans are made, then the heavy work of clearing out the burnt pieces and preparing for a new life begins.
Last week we watched in horror as the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame caught on fire. As I saw it in flames my heart sank. I also felt hope as I saw firemen tirelessly try to stop the fire from spreading. My mind immediately went back to a time when our own community suffered such a loss but on a much smaller scale. On Tuesday December 14, 2014 we awoke to the tragic news that the beautiful Tabernacle in Provo Utah had been affected by a fire during the night and had been completely burned internally by the flames. As a child, that beautiful Tabernacle had been for me a place of worship, a place where beautiful music was performed, a place where our community gathered to remember our Creator. The Notre Dame Cathedral was this for millions around the world. It is an 820 year old magnificent and beautiful place of worship which stood at the center of Paris, the beautiful city of culture and art.
Many of us at some time in our lives experience pain of such loss and anguish which personally feels as if our souls have been ravaged by fire. Divorce, abuse, a wayward child, loneliness, depression, physical ailments, addiction, death of a loved one, heavy financial burdens and the list goes on. There comes a time in many lives when we feel completely alone, burning down in a cold and dark night. While others may come to try to rescue us, it feels that the damage and pain in our lives is irreparable. The pain seems to last a long time. The damage is assessed, plans are made, then the heavy work of clearing out the burnt pieces and preparing for a new life begins.
The Provo Tabernacle was completely renewed, and on March 16, 2016 was dedicated and became the Provo City Center Temple. This last week my brother-in-law was married there and sealed to his lovely bride not only for time but for all eternity. It is one of the most beautiful, holy and sanctified places on earth. Could the Provo Tabernacle become the Provo City Center Temple without such a fire? It is difficult to know – but as Tony Bennet, coach of the recent National Champions in basketball of the University of Virginia said, the painful gift of adversity can take us to places we never believed possible. The University of Virginia lost last year in the first game of March Madness to a number sixteen seed. It was the most embarrassing loss in NCAA history. Coach Bennet however did not stay there. He refocused, made plans, and the next year took his team to the very top.
We can learn lessons from all of these examples. No matter how bleak the night may seem, no matter how terrifying the trial, no matter how difficult the journey ahead, if we maintain hope in our lives, we can be renewed into something more beautiful than we could have possibly imagined prior.
Invitation: Think of ways the Savior has already renewed you in your life and blessed you. Write down in your journal the miracles and blessings He has given you already. If you wish in addition, write goals about where you hope to be in the years ahead, and what you hope to become. Take the necessary steps to get there and trust in the Savior throughout the process.
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