Five Things about Light and Why I Want to Talk about It

I've heard it said many times that darkness is just the absence of light. And if you have a room filled with darkness, the light can penetrate the darkness, but the darkness cannot overcome the light. You have to dim or put out the light for the darkness to win.

In the religion, at least my religion, we often talk about darkness as evil and light as good. I think for worthwhile reasons. Darkness limits sight. It feels lonely. It's often associated with confusion or ignorance. Light illuminates sight. It feels comforting and loving. It's often associated with intelligence or wisdom.

I want to talk about five things that draw me to talk about light this season.

https://youtu.be/LZiAPNkXaW8

In a World of Increasing Darkness (Confusion), Light Is a Worthwhile Quest

I know we all feel it. There is increasing unrest, confusion, apathy, and so many other hard feelings in this world. It can be difficult to feel light when news sources spout all the tragedies and ailments that inflict everything.

I promise you, light exists. We just need to seek it. There are times I get on YouTube looking for something to fill me, just anything, and I come across video after video of politics and news that I know if I click on, I won't feel what I truly wish to feel. So instead, if I really just want something to watch or listen to, I seek the videos that fill me with goodness and light. Often those are videos made by fellow Later-Day Saints from my church who create interesting uplifting and intellectual content that fills me with wonder and makes my soul light up with knowledge.

There are many good sources we can seek to fill ourselves with light. We can find good videos and movies. We can read good books. We can participate in creative projects or do physical activity. If you know me, you know I love yoga, and it truly does fill me with light.

We are all different and what calls to you and fills you with light may be different than what calls to me. But it is very worthwhile and of worth to seek out those things and enjoy them. Let them fill you with light.

Light Is...

When I think of light, I think of the following words:

Knowledge: Increase of or gaining new knowledge--growing in learning.

Goodness: All things that are good and beautiful.

Wisdom: Not just knowledge but understanding how to use the knowledge and make good judgement.

Revelation: Knowledge and direction from God to help us on our life's journey.

Fire: And all the things that fire is--heat, food cooking source, beautiful tendrils of red and yellow.

Warmth: Cozy warmth.

Illumination: Lighting our paths both physically and spiritually.

Peace: Comfort and contentment.

Sight: Showing us what we need to see.

Focus: Lighting our understanding in a way that helps use prioritize or flow.

Love: Christ's perfect love, the love others give us, and the love we give others.

Light Brings Peace

I need and want peace in my life. If you've heard any of my life stories, you know we've experienced almost constant change. It seems we think we are settled and then are invited to change. I do what is asked of us willingly, but it's difficult.

Light, the light of Christ, the light of wisdom, the light of revelation, all the different types of light, have brought peace to my life. As I have sought that light, I have felt comfort when I've needed it so much to deal with all that life throws at me.

Light Is Christ

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5

And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Doctrine and Covenants 93:2

For ye were sometimes in darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Jesus is the source of true light, the most beautiful light. If we really want to experience the most precious light, we must come unto Him. His love is perfect and fills every part of our souls. His light is the source of our light. And we can shine brighter with Him.

We Can Be a Light to the World

What is our light? I think it's the goodness and good qualities God has bestowed on us. It's our kindness and our love. It's our endeavor to build relationships and serve others. It's our talents and passions. And, yes, it's also our creativity.

As I was thinking about my light, I realized there are parts of me that I genuinely love but don't share much with others. One example: singing. I love to sing. And I've worked at honing my talent on my own. I'm no perfect singer, but I know I've gotten better over the years. However, I don't sing a lot in front of others. I sing in front of my husband and daughter, sometimes my extended family. I think it's about time I change that.

Music is very important to me. I love the way it makes me feel. And I love the way singing makes me a part of music. It lights my soul. So I'm going to do more to share it with others.

It's important to share out light, not only for us but for others. For us, when we share out light, our souls get brighter. Haven't you felt it?

Luke 11:33 in the Bible reads:

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

We should use our light to help light up others. It's like sharing your light from a candle. Your light does not diminish, but now someone else can enjoy the light as well.

Those Are My Five Things about Light

I'm so excited to talk about light this season--for the next few months. As I wrote this post, I realized how much I truly love the word light, and we have so much to talk about.

What do you think of light? What does it remind you of? What words come to mind when you think of light?

Please, I'd love to hear. Write a comment or send me a message.