Can ye feel so now?

Alma poses a series of probing, soul-searching questions in Alma chapter 5 of The Book of Mormon that can be instructive in the process of becoming a true disciple of Christ. One particular question from that chapter has been on my mind the last week or so. Alma asked the people in the city of Zarahemla, and by extension, all of us, this question in verse 26, "...if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" It is part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to endure to the endure, to "press forward" and to "continue in the way", not just once, but consistently throughout our lives. The challenge is to have faith in Jesus Christ, not last year or last month, but today, and tomorrow, and always. The challenge is to have a constant spirit of repentance. It is not just, "I did repent" or "I have repented", but "I am repenting." Faith and repentance. Faith and repentance. Faith and repentance. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and seeking the gift of repentance that comes because of His Atonement encompass so much in that continually seeking, becoming, understanding, improving process. How merciful is our Father in Heaven who offers us an opportunity on a weekly basis to feel again that change of heart. "O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way..." that we may feel so NOW.