Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. – Mark 5:19
The Invitation … Change
-Read the account of the lepers in Luke 17:11-19.
The Journey
-Identify a change that you would like to make in your own life. It could be something amiss in your family, your work, your relationships, or an individual weakness. Write down a plan that will enable you to make that change. Approach the Lord in prayer and ask for His help.
My Experience …
I’ve read the story of the ten lepers many times. Reading it this time has made a different impact on the way I think about the story. I think it’s different this time because of the place I’m in. I feel like I can really apply the teachings of this story in my own personal experience.
The story starts as Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. He passes through Samaria and Galilee. While passing through those two cities, Christ enters a village. On the outskirts of the village are ten lepers. These men were cast off and banished because of their disease. Many times I have felt like a leper, banished from Christ’s love because of my past experiences. I know that thinking this was completely wrong but that is how I felt. I felt that I was on the outskirts of the village and not allowed to enter.
The story continues where the ten lepers cry out for help from the Master. This is the first step in their healing. They cried out for help. I look back on my past and realize that my first step to healing was the same thing. I needed to cry out to the Master for help. I needed to allow Him the opportunity to help me. He will not help if I don’t allow it. So, I realized that all ten of these men had pretty much hit rock bottom and they finally allowed Christ to enter their hearts.
Next, Christ tells the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. All of them left to do that. This is where another important thing happens. All ten of these lepers were obedient. They did exactly as they had been asked. They left the scene to show themselves unto the priest. As they left, they were healed. They were healed because they were obedient. I know that as I have been obedient in following the commandments, listening to the promptings from the Holy Ghost, following the counsel of those sent to help me, I have been healed. My heart is light. I can feel the change in my attitude and my thinking. I can feel the love of the Savior and know that He is the one who has healed me.
The most important part of the story comes when the one leper turns and gives thanks. I realize that the others being obedient and doing what Christ had told them. The one, however, took time to thank the Lord. And the Lord blesses him with important counsel. In verse 19 Christ says to the one leper, “Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” I think this is important to understand and apply. It’s important because the one leper finds the real reason as to his healing. It’s important to apply because as we are healed we need to remember to give thanks.
I have seen a miracle in my life. I have seen a change in my heart. I am really trying to apply the lesson of this story in my own experience. I need to remember to always turn and give thanks to the Lord. I cried out for help and my Savior answered that cry. He sent many loving friends to help when I needed it the most. He walked by my side throughout the process of healing. Now, when I see the change in myself, I can turn around and thank the Lord. It is from Him that this miracle is possible. I am grateful for that knowledge.
My plan for this particular journey is to continue to give thanks to the Savior for this mighty change of heart and miracle in my life. I am continually looking for opportunities to pay it forward. I’m not quite ready to share my whole experience with the world but I can share it one person at a time. I look forward to the coming months as I learn more to turn around and give thanks to the Lord. I know that He will know that I am grateful for all of His love and healing. I can only show it through my actions and words.
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