"I am the Light of the World"

As the only girl in a household full of boys led by a father who is happiest when out exploring one beautiful wilderness after another, I often find myself hiking, crawling, climbing, and, more often than I would like to admit, falling down, over, and under places I have never imagined. On one such adventure, we took another family and ventured  out to explore some caves. Farther and deeper we walked. As we left the bright sunshine behind, the warmth faded as well. Very quickly we found ourselves dependent on the light we had brought with us. As we had not really planned on finding any caves that were quite so deep, we were not well prepared and had to share the flashlights between us. Far back in the cave we came to a point where the only way to continue on into the next chamber would be to crawl and then lay down on the floor and scoot forward.

No. way.

The other mother and I decided we were no way, no how going to proceed any further. The rest of the group thought that since we would be staying in one place they could go ahead and use our flashlights, and they would "be right back."

We actually let ourselves be talked into this plan.

We watched as the last pinpoints of light disappeared in the tunnel and we were left in total, complete blackness. Cold fingers of darkness wrapping themselves around my skin. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face or the person sitting right next to me. I remembered my cell phone in my pocket and took it out to turn on the screen. It was pitifully dim and the battery would not last long. Even so, that meager light brought comfort. Any light was better than none.

What thoughts run through the mind of a wife and a mother at times like these?
Besides the obvious, "None of us are ever going to make it out of here alive," and "How do I get myself into these things?" also came the thought, "How can I find and save my family when I don't even have enough light to get out myself?!"  I didn't really think we were all going to die, but the longer and longer we waited for them to return, the more the little scaredy cat in the back of my head said ......"We just might!"

The world in which we live grows darker day by day. Now, just like in my deep, dark cave, we must depend  more than ever on the light we carry with us. Is our light strong enough to sustain us through the darkness? Are we able to shine for those who need us?
We can no longer afford not to. The world has become a much too spiritually damaging place. Treacherous. Its dark, cold, filthy influence snakes its way into our very homes grabbing at our families through our music and the same televisions and internet we watch General Conference on. Dangerous, spiritually devastating influences surround us on every side. We MUST seek to have the light of Christ burning bright and strong within us. 

Darkness cannot exist where light shines.

Have you ever noticed that even the smallest light seems to shine more powerfully the darker it gets? 

And even the tiniest light in the darkness brings comfort.

We are those lights

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of the world. …”  “Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.” “Therefore, let your light so shine before this world, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

 (Matthew 5:16,18, Inspired Version.)  (3 Nephi 18:24.)

Every effort we make to invite the spirit of the Lord into our lives and to strengthen His light that burns within us and our families, matters. Every effort we make is worth it, no matter how small we may think it is. We have been given every tool we need to fortify ourselves; every weapon needed to defend our families and homes at our fingertips. Spiritually nourishing and healing influences surround us on every side. Gifts from a loving Father in Heaven. But, for a gift to be useful it must be received. What are we doing with the gifts that  we have been so abundantly blessed with at just the time they are so urgently, desperately needed?!

There are more temples on the earth today than ever before in all of history. Coincidence?

 Inside those walls lies the most powerful protection available to us:

Covenants

Making them

Being worthy to stand in Holy places

then

Keeping them

Making the places that we stand holy.

Bringing His light into the darkness

We can feel the same spirit we feel when we enter the House of the Lord in our homes. Even with the dirty dishes piled in the sink and the dirty socks on the floor that we have just not quite found the time to wash yet.

Immaculately clean floors and perfectly dusted shelves do not make a happy home. The spirit that we invite each time we open our scriptures, kneel in personal and family prayer, gather together for family dinner and family home evening, are the things that make a happy home. A safehaven in the darkness of the world. A refuge filled with good works and love. A place were the light of the Savior shines.

We are His light

He sees your good works

Let your light shine!

Posted by Sister Montgomery