You see, recently I got an office job. 8 hours a day in front of a computer. And while I really, really enjoy my work, I sometimes wake up dreading life. Once you settle down into the routine of your week, there's unfortunately little to look forward to.
"Oh good! I get to wake up at six, read my scriptures, go for a run, and then go to work and come home! Just like yesterday! And the day before yesterday... and the day before...."
*Sigh. Oh dear.
I also had an interesting chat with my atheist friend, Aleks. He claims that committing yourself to a relationship actually makes you less happy. "Surely you've noticed," Aleks said, as we passed Red Square on our left, "Surely you've noticed that as soon as you get really close to a person, they start demanding more of you, and giving less. They seem to take you for granted."
In the midst of our stroll, I was forced to agree with him. That is how human nature seems to work, unfortunately.
Both of these problems have a common root, and a common answer. And as always, the gospel is the answer.
Mormon could tell you something about an awful life of dull routine and routine betrayal. He was subjected to endless wars between two nations who hated each other and themselves. And yet, he penned these beautiful words to the saints in the twilight era of Nephite civilization.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth."
(Moroni 7:41)
What a beautiful thought! Human relationships might fail to satisfy, daily life might fail to satisfy, but charity NEVER faileth.
We haven't time to fully define charity. I advise you to read the chapter.
People are the spice of life. But as Aleks said, there is a natural tendency to harden to those we become intimate with.
BUT 'TIS NOT ALWAYS SO.
I have a few people in my life who have always treated me like gold, no matter how close we are. I have a few people in my life who really are unfailingly kind, and they are those people who are real disciples of Christ and radiate that constant, unfailing charity.
Aleks, you are right. It is human nature to take people for granted. But it is not God's nature. And if we rely on God's love, our love will never, ever fail.
Charity also fixes our problem of dull routine. If you feel that your life is dry and tasteless, remember that the fruit of the tree of life is most sweet above all that [was] ever before tasted. (1 Nephi 8:11)
The fruit of the tree is the love of Jesus Christ, and I testify that Charity never faileth, but can fill the emptiest life, and the most disappointing relationship with endless joy, enchantment, and satisfaction, if only we will cast aside our own little pathetic love, and rely on the perfect, unfailing love of Christ.
