And then there was light

This evening as I was sitting back between friends watching the fireworks in the night sky I sat reflecting on what attracts us to light(s). There are always audible comments made about the fluorescence, sparkling, and breath taking glory of fireworks as they are displayed in their grandeur. I sat thinking about the countless fireworks I sat and viewed sitting next to my dad as a girl and into my early teens. It was something we thoroughly enjoyed together. Why did we love them so much? What makes us ooh and ah in the spectacularity of the moment?

I was brought to remember a talk given by Elder Uchtdorf on light in the 2006 Christmas devotional. He taught how we are naturally attracted to light, hence all of the lights at Christmas time and the warm glow they produce, which we are naturally drawn towards. As I sat and thought back to his words I reflected on how the things I love usually have something to do with light. My favorite season is summer-you can feel the glow of the sun on your skin and for me it warms my soul, it makes plants grow, it rotates the earth, there are so many things the sun does with His light.

Then I started thinking how people actually possess light, this light is made manifest through the soul. In ways like our smiles and the sparkle that gleams in our eyes and overall countenance. We are attracted to all kinds of light, yet we must be careful for much of the light the world tries to force on us, is temporary and will not bring the lasting light of Christ. Thinking of the brightest places of instant gratification in this world, those lights will fade out and we will be left with nothing except a void. How easy for me it would be to get sucked in and watch a bright screen of TV as one after another movie is watched, hours spent playing video games, or even too much time spent doing things of no worth on the computer. We must manage our time well that we may in turn fill our souls with lasting light. It is so easy to do, if we are not careful and I see nothing wrong with any of these activities on occasion as long as they are done in moderation and in order. May we find the light and fill ourselves with His-the kind that lasts, that fireworks may burn deep within our souls!