I have a confession to make. I do not like the dark. I have never really liked the dark; in fact, it may be appropriate to say that I am afraid of the dark. I will sometimes turn on lights unnecessarily because of my feelings of fear that come from being in the dark. I know at my age this is probably not the most rational of fears, but when are most fears rational? However, I have learned that when I turn on the light the fear that is with darkness goes away.
Consider a flash light, can it be both on and off at the same time? Can we have both light and darkness in our lives at the same time? No, light and darkness cannot exist in the same place. It is either light or it is darkness.
This week as I was studying my scriptures I read in 3 Nephi 12 about being a light and began to think more and more about what is light and how can I gain light in my life. I also found a wonderful talk by Elder Robert D Hales in titled “That Ye May be the Children of Light”. Here Elder Hales teaches this simple truth, “Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Satan and his disciples cannot tolerate the spiritual light of the gospel; they must immediately depart. When we live the commandments, our countenance is surrounded by gospel light.”
There have been many times in my life that I have felt fear and darkness around me, and the more I have been searching the scriptures for the things that the Father would have me do I am finding that when I put my life in line with his teachings my fears and darkness are no longer there.
In Thessalonians 5:5 Jesus teaches us about being children of light, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness”. We must be faithful and believing to be in the light and come out of the darkness. Elder Hales teaches us this about becoming children of light, “It is important that we understand the significance to each of us when Jesus taught ‘believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light’ We must have faith and know that we are children of light and that through faith in Jesus, our Savior, and obedience to his commandments we may have his Spirit, his light, to be with us to guide us always. If we are to be children of light, we must walk in the light and, with our agency, choose the right. Yes, walk in the light and shun darkness; we must choose the right and defend the right when the choice is placed before us.” How wonderful it is to be able to choose the light of Christ in our lives by being obedient to his commands.
We also have an obligation to share our light with others. “Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Therefore, let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. “(3 Nephi 12:15-16). As disciples of Christ we must share our knowledge of the Father and our Savoir, Jesus Christ, with everyone. I would never want for those that I love to walk in darkness because I was not willing to share with them that which brings light into my life.
I am thankful for the opportunity I have to have the light of Christ in my life and that I do not need to have fear or darkness. I know that as I grow my relationship with my Father and brother Jesus Christ I will be able to grow that light brighter and brighter in my life. I am also grateful that I have the opportunity to share that light with others. That I can share His light and bring other to His light.
