Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Light of the World

I love that one of the titles of Jesus Christ is “the Light of the World” (John 8:12). As the only light that I have access to, Christ gives me direction, guidance, comfort and peace. Loosing my vision because of cancer has been extremely difficult. It has been nine and a half years since my world went dark, and, although most days I do fine, there are still those that seem very dark and hopeless. It is the Light, my Light that gives me hope to move forward through the emotional and physical darkness. Jesus Christ is the center of my life and the foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a member of this church, as a disciple of Christ, I try to constantly turn myself to him. I try to see my struggles as opportunities to seek his help and grace. There have been many moments when I have hurt terribly with physical pain, moments when I have cried for the help of the Savior. I have felt that help come a little at a time when my challenges seemed to difficult to endure. Because of the sacrifice which Jesus willingly offered, he not only paid for my sins, but suffered all the pains and misery that I have experienced so that he could give me his perfect omniscient comfort and very real strength. I think about this when I am hurting. I remember that his love was so great, that he suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross on Calvary. Then, I remember the empty garden tomb, and that Jesus Christ is not a Lord that used to be. Christ is the Lord who is. He was resurrected and overcame death. Because of his resurrection, I will also be resurrected. My body will one day be perfected. I will see perfectly. This knowledge gives me hope and courage to live with purpose. This gift of resurrection will come to every single person who has ever lived on this earth. It is given no matter how righteous we are. Each of us will receive bodies which are perfected, which cannot die again. It is because of Jesus that this is possible. Some people believe that Mormons do not believe in or follow Jesus Christ. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I am a Mormon, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I know that Christ lives. I know that as I follow his light, I will make it through life’s dark days until I am with him again. I invite you to learn more about the Light of the World. Go to: http://mormon.org/faq/belief-in-jesus-christ, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” John 8: 12