How will you #LighttheWorld?
December 1, the beginning of #LighttheWorld
Ideally, we should continue the campaign throughout the year. We should always look for the opportunity to serve others. For those who claim to be Christians, it is time to put up or shut up, we see the world as a fallen place, and it is. We see need everywhere. Some wonder why a God that has the ability to heal with just a word, or a touch, would allow the sickness, the disease, the poverty to continue. Why wars go on and on. Why people are not taken in, and cared for as the Savior said.
God has granted us our greatest gift; Agency. The ability to choose good or evil. The ability to help, or not. Our Father loved us so much that that is his gift, and because we would sin, part of the gift is his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sin. That is how important agency is to our Father.
What do we do with that agency? I had a very interesting discussion today, as I went to the temple with a very good friend. We discussed kids, and where they are. One thing I realized as driving is what I wanted to share today.
We talked about kids, and how some have not continued active in the church. How we, as parents, think twice about what we did; every step, how we see every single shortcoming as a parent, and spend considerable time blaming ourselves. The words of Elder Uchtdorf ring in my ear, "Stop it". As parents, we have to remember that just as Father gifted us with agency, so we cannot wish that agency away from our kids. We can pray for them, we can try to reach out to them, but we should not try to force kids to do something they don't want to do. We spoke of walls, and how critical it is to not do as I have done, to build a wall separating them from us. All we can do is love and let them know that they are loved, whether they do the things we wish, or not. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to do that. Oh, what might have been, right?
But this brings me to another point that I wanted to make, and it has everything to do with #LighttheWorld. As part of the #LighttheWorld campaign, we are encouraged to invite all to come to church with us on December 23rd, the Sunday before Christmas. The thing is, my observations would indicate that many of us Latter Day Saints love those that are like us. I am not referring to race, necessarily, but what I thought more about this was people that look so different.
How do we react when someone comes to church who:
Has tattoos all over their body?
Has piercings all over?
Oddly colored hair?
Wearing what we would consider very inappropriate clothing for church?
Comes to church with a same sex partner?
Are you feeling uncomfortable yet? Feeling like maybe I am describing you? I am describing me, but I am trying desperately not to feel that way. I always keep in my mind what our Stake President in Twin Falls said to us during leadership training. "Brethren, if the back of your chapel doesn't smell like cigarette smoke, you are doing something wrong." I have learned so much about not judging, but have so so so far to go. That we don't see people like this in our chapel often makes us ask why? Is it because of our reaction to their differences?
How can we #LighttheWorld if we feel uncomfortable around some who for whatever reason felt led to show up? We may have the light, but we are definitely putting it under a bushel if we do not welcome them with open arms. We are all God's children, and we need to put that first and foremost.
I talk too much, or maybe I should say I share too much on Social media regarding all sorts of things demonstrating my very limited viewpoint. But it isn't that I don't try to expand, and am working very hard to be more judicious in what I share or write on.
We talk about the sick. What are we doing to succor them?
We talk about the problem with the homeless. What are we doing to comfort them, to shelter them?
The refugees. I know right now that someone reading this is going to say "Hypocrite!". What are we as individuals doing about that situation? Are we stepping up, volunteering to sponsor refugees?
Shut-ins. Are we visiting them? Are we helping them with basic needs? So much service to be done, what are we doing?
I could go on about how we can serve others. But on this eve to #LighttheWorld we are challenged to serve others. To not sit back and wonder why God isn't doing something. He is. He is asking us to #LighttheWorld , to be His hands, to be His shoulders and legs. To be His angels. It is through His children that the world is blessed, that suffering is lessened, and that all can feel loved.
Will you blow your candle out, or put it under a bushel? Or, will you #LighttheWorld? Probably too much emphasis on Light the world? Hey, nothing like product placement. Just do it.
For information on how YOU can light the world, or find a local meetinghouse to join with us on December 23, you can find it all below.
https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world
I will even make you a deal. Let me know you are coming to join me, and I will sit not in the front like I normally do, but in the back! Oh, and...
#LighttheWorld #IluminaElMundo
Ideally, we should continue the campaign throughout the year. We should always look for the opportunity to serve others. For those who claim to be Christians, it is time to put up or shut up, we see the world as a fallen place, and it is. We see need everywhere. Some wonder why a God that has the ability to heal with just a word, or a touch, would allow the sickness, the disease, the poverty to continue. Why wars go on and on. Why people are not taken in, and cared for as the Savior said.
God has granted us our greatest gift; Agency. The ability to choose good or evil. The ability to help, or not. Our Father loved us so much that that is his gift, and because we would sin, part of the gift is his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sin. That is how important agency is to our Father.
What do we do with that agency? I had a very interesting discussion today, as I went to the temple with a very good friend. We discussed kids, and where they are. One thing I realized as driving is what I wanted to share today.
We talked about kids, and how some have not continued active in the church. How we, as parents, think twice about what we did; every step, how we see every single shortcoming as a parent, and spend considerable time blaming ourselves. The words of Elder Uchtdorf ring in my ear, "Stop it". As parents, we have to remember that just as Father gifted us with agency, so we cannot wish that agency away from our kids. We can pray for them, we can try to reach out to them, but we should not try to force kids to do something they don't want to do. We spoke of walls, and how critical it is to not do as I have done, to build a wall separating them from us. All we can do is love and let them know that they are loved, whether they do the things we wish, or not. I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to do that. Oh, what might have been, right?
But this brings me to another point that I wanted to make, and it has everything to do with #LighttheWorld. As part of the #LighttheWorld campaign, we are encouraged to invite all to come to church with us on December 23rd, the Sunday before Christmas. The thing is, my observations would indicate that many of us Latter Day Saints love those that are like us. I am not referring to race, necessarily, but what I thought more about this was people that look so different.
How do we react when someone comes to church who:
Has tattoos all over their body?
Has piercings all over?
Oddly colored hair?
Wearing what we would consider very inappropriate clothing for church?
Comes to church with a same sex partner?
Are you feeling uncomfortable yet? Feeling like maybe I am describing you? I am describing me, but I am trying desperately not to feel that way. I always keep in my mind what our Stake President in Twin Falls said to us during leadership training. "Brethren, if the back of your chapel doesn't smell like cigarette smoke, you are doing something wrong." I have learned so much about not judging, but have so so so far to go. That we don't see people like this in our chapel often makes us ask why? Is it because of our reaction to their differences?
How can we #LighttheWorld if we feel uncomfortable around some who for whatever reason felt led to show up? We may have the light, but we are definitely putting it under a bushel if we do not welcome them with open arms. We are all God's children, and we need to put that first and foremost.
I talk too much, or maybe I should say I share too much on Social media regarding all sorts of things demonstrating my very limited viewpoint. But it isn't that I don't try to expand, and am working very hard to be more judicious in what I share or write on.
We talk about the sick. What are we doing to succor them?
We talk about the problem with the homeless. What are we doing to comfort them, to shelter them?
The refugees. I know right now that someone reading this is going to say "Hypocrite!". What are we as individuals doing about that situation? Are we stepping up, volunteering to sponsor refugees?
Shut-ins. Are we visiting them? Are we helping them with basic needs? So much service to be done, what are we doing?
I could go on about how we can serve others. But on this eve to #LighttheWorld we are challenged to serve others. To not sit back and wonder why God isn't doing something. He is. He is asking us to #LighttheWorld , to be His hands, to be His shoulders and legs. To be His angels. It is through His children that the world is blessed, that suffering is lessened, and that all can feel loved.
Will you blow your candle out, or put it under a bushel? Or, will you #LighttheWorld? Probably too much emphasis on Light the world? Hey, nothing like product placement. Just do it.
For information on how YOU can light the world, or find a local meetinghouse to join with us on December 23, you can find it all below.
https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world
I will even make you a deal. Let me know you are coming to join me, and I will sit not in the front like I normally do, but in the back! Oh, and...
#LighttheWorld #IluminaElMundo
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