Do you love me more than these?

My husband and I were having a wonderful, in-depth discussion on the scriptures and Christ on the phone this afternoon. Among many things, one of the things he brought up was the conversation Christ had with Peter in John 21:15-17. 

15 ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

So much meaning in these scriptures ( like many). However what I found in these is the answer Peter gave in verse 17 " Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest I love thee".

I imagine Christ asking me Tiffaney do you love me above all things? I wanted to respond as Peter but I stopped and reflected. I know the lord overcame the world and he asks the same of us. But am I willing?? Am I willing to use my agency for what it is meant for, to choose him, to follow him, and be like him? Am I willing to give up, sacrifice if you will, the world? The things that pull us away from him? Those addictions and vices that keep us enslaved, busy, entertained, and occupied? 

My mind then jumped to the many stories in the bible. Noah was one. I thought all this time how very wicked people must have been. Then I stopped and thought well... probably not everyone was as bad as my mind had made them out to be. However, even an inheritently good person to everyone else may have been offensive to God because they chose themselves over him. Pleasing their wants, desires and needs was more important than listening and following God and heeding to the words of his prophet, Noah. They believed in what they wanted too, which allowed them to live their lives without guilt. I actually believe many believed in God but because they just believed in him and didnt know him their love for themselves was stronger than obedience to God. 

Im sure in their eyes Noah was a crazy old man building a boat in the middle of the desert for 120+ yrs. 

When the time came and it started to rain, no one panicked it had rained like normal all those years. A week of rain non stop and I am sure many started wondering and others may have realized. Then going into 2 weeks and its starting to flood. Probably family and friends ran to the ark pounderin and begging. But it was to late. It had been sealed closed by the lord. I can't imagine how hard and painful it must of been for Noah and his family to know no one listened and now hearing them outside.

I dont want to be to late. 

I have come to believe that as the lord knew the hearts and desires of the people of the days of Noah he knows ours, he knows mine. I will never be as perfect as Christ but I strive to every day. I have been blessed to move out of the loud city where you can have all your needs and desires met in a matter of minutes.  

I do not watch tv during the day and have not in almost 9 yrs and rarely listen to music. I occupy my time with books, podcasts, scriptures and talks from our leaders, prophet and 12 apostles. Things that brings the spirit and helps me to better myself and learn and grow closer to Christ.  

I pray often and give praise in everything to him. 

I do my best to follow all his commandments and listen to his prophets of old ( scriptures) and his living prophet of today. 

Can I say to my savior I love him over all things? Yes, because although I am in no way perfect, I too am doing my best to overcome and be free from all the things of this world.

💕 I have never been happier once I made the decision to give up the world and building a intimate relationship with my father in heaven and my savior. His promises and blessings are real once you make that decision to take that one foot still standing in Babylon and stand firmly in Zion ❤️