During Sacrament Meeting, the words of the sacramental hymn struck me more than they usually do. It was probably the fact that I was paying more attention to the actual words than I had in the past. I realized that the hymn was Christ speaking to us. Telling us what he did for us, and how much he loves us and that he wants to take our burdens upon him, to have faith in him and that he is our advocate with the Father pleading our case. I wondered about the man who wrote the text for this hymn...what experiences had he passed through in life to be able to write a hymn that was speaking for the Savior? He must have had moments where he had to rely solely on the Savior and came to know of his saving grace and redeeming power.
Then I thought “what moments, what defining moments have I had in my life that has taught me about the Savior, that has brought me closer to him and has deepened my understanding of him as my Redeemer?”
Defining moments for me are experiences that we have in life that strengthen and sustain us, often character development is a result. It is these passages of life that we turn back to in times of turmoil and trial to support our faith. (And if we write them down it makes it that much easier to refer to them).
It was three years ago to the day that I have returned from serving a mission to Brazil, a period of life that I reverently treasure. I thought of defining moments that had occurred during the mission and of experiences I had passed through that deepened my understanding and knowledge of the gospel. Then I thought of times since then, and before.
As I was sitting on the stand it was brought to my remembrance of an experience I had a year earlier.
I was to participate in the ULCER, a 100 mile bike ride out by Utah Lake. I had never ridden that far before but I was determined to compete and finish. My father drove me to the starting point, made sure I had everything I needed, took some pictures and gave some good encouragement. Then I was off! I was riding with a team of friends/co-workers. In road biking it is best to ride with a team and draft so that one does not have to expend as much energy. But soon I found that I was on my own and would be for the majority of the ride. Off and on during the route I would see my dad's car on the road, driving by to give me support. He appeared at a rest stop as I was taking a brief break to make sure that I had enough fluids, that the bike was working well and that I was in good condition.
Once again, he appeared out of nowhere as he had during the ride, but this time on his bike. It was decided that he would ride with me for the last 10 miles so that I could draft behind him and use his energy and strength to get me to the end. We rode at a decent pace to the last rest stop where I was met by other family members. Then we started out on the last leg together.
We were going along the roads east of Utah Lake, closing in on the last miles. A noise, a very loud noise shot through the air and too soon I found out that it was my bike tire that had blown.....just about 2 miles short of the end. My dad, without a hesitation gave me his bike and told me to keep going, to keep riding without him and to finish the race. I went ahead. I finished the race. I had completed the 100 miles. I was drained and exhausted, but with a feeling of complete accomplishment and inner satisfaction.
I was grateful for my dad that day. Grateful that he was there off and on during the ride supporting me, and that he was right there, along side me when I needed him most. He was supposed to ride to the finish-line with me, but unselfishly waited behind while I rode on, on his bike.
Today I reflected on that bike ride. And as I became aware of that day as a defining moment for me, I sought to cry of appreciation. As I approached the pulpit I was able to, with more conviction than before, testify of Jesus Christ and his role as our Savior.
Our Savior is our support throughout our lives. He is there to give us constant encouragement, and makes sure that we have what we need to finish the race. He is our water, our bread, and will be with us along the way. He is there when we experience our hardest times and pass through our deepest sorrows, when it seems impossible to continue. And when all is lost, to make it possible for us to finish the race he has made the greatest sacrifice of all, he gave his life.
Christ died for us so that we might return to the Father. He atoned for us so that we might gain eternal life. He does this because he loves us. I love my Savior and pray that I will always be mindful of his hand in my life, and that I may always recognize when he is beside me. And in my most troubling times may I remember that he gave his life for me so that I may overcome all things and win the prize.
I never would have thought that morning of the race, that a year later I would be able to bear stronger testimony of Christ because of events that happened between mile 1 and 100. But I am grateful for defining moments that God gives to teach us. May I always remember that day.
