Lori Wilson: More of Him, less of us

To follow Christ is no small thing — it’s a call to refine ourselves, to tip the scales of our hearts with more of His virtues and less of our weaknesses. It’s a journey of becoming, step by trembling step, shaped by His tender example and infinite wisdom. Consider forgiveness, that divine gift He poured out as nails pierced His hands.

In His darkest hour, He looked upon a mocking crowd and breathed a plea for their mercy (Luke 23:34). To be more forgiving is to unclench our fists, to let go of resentment’s hot coals, trusting heaven to mend what we cannot. Less vengeful, we turn from retribution’s siren song, choosing the peace that flows like a river through a parched soul.



And contentment — don’t we see it in the Savior’s steadiness? He who owned no palace lived with quiet trust in His Father (Philippians 4:11). More content, we find joy in simple gifts — a sunrise, a warm home, a child’s laugh. Less vain, we sidestep the mirror’s flattery and the chase for applause that fades before the echo dies.

Christ sought no crown but thorns, providing a template we are beckoned to follow. Gratitude lifts us nearer to Him, like a hot air balloon shedding weights to take flight. We’re urged to give thanks in all things, and with more gratitude, we see blessings in storms — health, a kind word, unfailing friends.

Less conniving, we cut loose the sandbags of schemes, trusting honest effort over ill-gotten gain. Christ’s life was an open book, not a tangled plot, and as we lighten our load, we rise toward His grace. This ‘more and less’ refining takes effort, a daily bending toward His will.

Jesus calls us to completeness, like our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:48). I like the translation of completeness rather than perfection. It seems so much more like a process, a filling, a becoming.

We answer that call with small, earnest steps — more prayer to anchor us, less despair to cloud our heavenly view; more service lifting another, less selfishness lifting us. No grand leap brings us there, but a steady climb, rung by rung. His sanctifying touch makes us new (Moroni 10:33), peeling away old ways like husks from ripened grain.

We can find the holy in each task, each choice, each effort, until we stand a little taller in His presence. To follow Christ is no small thing. To follow Christ is the quest, the adventure, of a lifetime.

On that quest, with His help, may we day by day experience more of His joy and less of our burdens..