{"id":3216,"date":"2024-07-10T12:18:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T16:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/connectingwithchrist\/?p=3216"},"modified":"2024-07-10T12:18:55","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T16:18:55","slug":"light-for-shadows-risk-blessing-of-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/connectingwithchrist\/2024\/07\/light-for-shadows-risk-blessing-of-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"Light for Shadows: Risk\/Blessing of Choice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

(Lunardi\/Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Current youth have been called\u00a0 the \u201cchoice generation<\/a>\u201d for the \u201cmindboggling\u201d number of choices available to them, more than any past generation. Particularly with the omnipresence of technology. Living in a world of such challenges, we all need light for shadows<\/em> of distraction and confusion that seem to close in around us.<\/p>\n

Dodge or Procrastinate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n Many do. But we who love and follow our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ cannot. As President Nelson<\/a> has told us, \u201cThe\u00a0baseless\u00a0notion that we should \u2018eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us\u2019 is one of the most absurd lies in the universe.\u201d\u00a0 He offers instead the words \u201cdignity of choosing.\u201d Dignity<\/em>\u2014not fear, pride, or greed.<\/p>\n Jeffrey R. Holland warned 26 years ago, \u201cthe days of comfortably having one foot in the restored Church and one foot in the world [are] vanishing quickly.\u201d Those of us who can remember 26 years ago agree with the worsening speed.<\/p>\n Necessary for all generations is Lehi\u2019s explanation to his young fifth son, Jacob, that to use their agency to act for themselves, God\u2019s children must experience contrasting options. He used the words \u201copposition in all things.\u201d To choose wisely, we must know what the choices are. Later, as a spiritually mature\u00a0 and wise prophet, Jacob taught his people, \u201cCheer up your hearts and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves\u2014to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life\u201d (see 2 Nephi 2:27).<\/p>\n Book of Mormon prophets emphasized this choice.<\/p>\n \nOn the sins of Korihor, Alma (30:8) noted this scripture: \u201cChoose ye this day, whom ye will serve.\u201d<\/li>\nThe People of Ammon chose to bury their swords and let themselves be slaughtered rather than defend themselves (see Alma 24).<\/li>\nSamuel the Lamanite preached from his wall: \u201cGod hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free\u201d (Helaman 14:30).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nScatter or Matter? <\/strong><\/h3>\n**** With shadows of so many choices surrounding us, we need light, even for what has been called \u201cthe middle ground\u2014the workaday world and seemingly ordinary decisions where we spend most of our time.\u201d Quentin L. Cook<\/a> suggested some considerations to lead us toward light. They are mentioned here as questions, with workaday applications added.<\/p>\n \nIs the choice \u201cconsistent with your goals\u201d? Would a safety-conscious person take off their protective helmet when it is awkward or inconvenient?<\/li>\nIs the option \u201cconsistent with the gospel?\u201d If someone badly needs listening and understanding, would Jesus want you to catch up first on lawn mowing or laundry?<\/li>\nDoes the practice contribute to balance and stability in your life? Are you spending hours every day<\/em> on the same hobby or entertainment, neglecting important life needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n***** ** *****Some matters in our lives we cannot control<\/em>, and the clouds may seem thicker and darker. But choices must be made, and we may find ourselves pleading to receive light for shadows.<\/p>\n A highly respected Church leader enlightened us, describing \u201cabsolute control\u201d<\/a> over our responses to changes, circumstances, or an \u201cunexpected path.\u201d \u201cHow we respond is a choice. Turning to the Savior and grasping His outstretched arm is always our best option.\u201d<\/p>\n The uncontrolled challenge is sometimes a person. David A. Bednar<\/a> offered light, assuring that no one can offend <\/em>anyone. We must choose to\u00a0 be offended. God gives us \u201cmoral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice.\u201d \u00a0Blaming our anger, pain, or bitterness on another person \u201cdiminishes our moral agency, our power to choose how another person\u2019s words or behavior will affect us.\u201d Moral agency is a precious gift.<\/p>\n Fear of the Little-Known or Light for Shadows?<\/strong><\/p>\n Patrick Kearon<\/a> shared the one true light for shadows<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00a0Jesus Christ,\u00a0our beloved Saviour, is the transcendent source of light in our lives. He Himself has assured us, \u201cI am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life\u201d (John 8:12<\/a>). The light of life! That\u2019s who He is. That\u2019s what He offers us. Because of His light, we really can choose hope and joy in the midst of life\u2019s confusing storms . . . The miracle of His light that can penetrate any gloom.<\/p>\n How?\u00a0 Apostle Kearon added, \u201cIf we open our hearts to the scriptures, [we can] be guided by their light.\u201d Scriptures contain God\u2019s specific words: \u201cThat which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day . . . that you may chase darkness from among you\u201d (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24-25).<\/p>\n Scriptural accounts illustrate choices made in God\u2019s light. Abraham chose to follow the Lord in every challenge. Moses chose to climb Mount Sinai to commune with the Lord. Joshua chose to commit to the Lord (his people with him). Other choices denied the light. Lot clung to Sodom, losing most of his family. Aaron chose to made a golden calf. Saul chose greed over obedience to God.<\/p>\n Elder Kearon testified of the temple as \u201can unwavering source of light and a symbol of safety . . . [that provides] steadying constancy in a world of turmoil and uncertainty [and] fills us with the Lord\u2019s light.\u201d\u00a0 He concluded that if we can be \u201cled purely by the hand of God . . . we will be empowered to face the unknowns of our future with sustaining faith and abiding trust.\u201d<\/p>\n Significantly, he added, \u201cEach of you is loved in ways you cannot comprehend.\u201d<\/p>\n Perfect choices? Of course not! We could not use our agency to grow and develop as the Savior desires if walking in the light removed all shadows and challenges. We have a better perspective.<\/a> Being a disciple does not mean our choices are perfect; it means we make them intentionally. As they reflect our intent, they reveal our actual selves\u2014more significant than abilities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0We make choices constantly: sometimes hesitant choices; often middle-road, workaday choices; occasionally choices of attitude toward something we cannot control. God\u2019s loving light is our supreme light for the shadows of mortal experience.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \n<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Current youth have been called\u00a0 the \u201cchoice generation\u201d for the \u201cmindboggling\u201d number of choices available to them, more than any past generation. Particularly with the omnipresence of technology. Living in a world of such challenges, we all need light for shadows of distraction and confusion that seem to close in around us. Dodge or Procrastinate? […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4623,"featured_media":3219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,74,238],"tags":[414,135,265,65],"class_list":["post-3216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comfort-healing","category-spiritual-growth","category-strength-and-courage","tag-choice","tag-eternal-perspective","tag-faith","tag-peace"],"yoast_head":"\nLight for Shadows: Risk\/Blessing of Choice-Connecting With Christ<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To make choices among today's overwhelming options, we need God's light for shadows of distraction and confusion that surround us.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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