Following the Savior

I love that Isaiah described Jesus Christ as "The Prince of Peace." I have often felt His peace in my life in times of turmoil. I would like to feel it more often. Elder Hales in the last General Conference reminded us that,

"Throughout His life our Savior showed us how to use our agency. As a boy in Jerusalem, He deliberately chose to 'be about [His] Father’s business.' In His ministry, He obediently chose 'to do the will of [His] Father.' In Gethsemane, He chose to suffer all things, saying, 'Not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.' On the cross, He chose to love His enemies, praying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' And then, so that He could finally demonstrate that He was choosing for Himself, He was left alone. '[Father,] why hast thou forsaken me?' He asked. At last, He exercised His agency to act, enduring to the end, until He could say, 'It is finished.'" (Nov. 2010 p.25)

I usually consider His ways so much higher than mine that it is difficult to make any comparisons. After reading the words above I was struck by the way His choices were like mine.

• I can choose to be about my Father's business.
• I can choose to do the will of my Father and minister to others.
• That choice is even harder when I hurt but I can still choose His will. I know for sure that he has sent people to strengthen me.
• I can choose to forgive others when they don't understand the harm they have done to me and those I love.
• Even when I feel alone I can choose to finish work that I have been given.

"Though He 'was in all points tempted like as we are,' with every choice and every action He exercised the agency to be our Savior—to break the chains of sin and death for us. And by His perfect life, He taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress." (ibid.)

I will add that peace comes more often.  What a joy it is to follow Him, to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32) For His example and for my life I am grateful for Jesus Christ, my Elder Brother, my Savior.