Episode 61: Are You Afraid of the Dark?
In this episode, I share a few of my thoughts about darkness -- physical darkness and spiritual darkness as we look at some of the principles taught in Elder Timothy J. Dyches General Conference talk, "Light Cleaveth to Light," given this past April.
If you are listening for the first time, welcome! I hope you enjoy the show. And a special shout out to all our regular listeners. Thank you so much for your continued support.
When Ron and I were still pretty new in our relationship, he took me to Mercer’s Caverns in Calaveras County, California so I could see stalagmites and stalactites up close and in person, rather than just in pictures. Ron and I were still in the “wanting to make a good impression” phase of our relationship, and I for sure did not want to look like the coward that I am, so I willingly made the descent into the cavern.
Like Elder Timothy J. Dyches' experience in Moaning Caverns, Ron and I were not prepared for the moment when our tour guide turned off the lights. All of them. I had never been in such vast darkness before. Never been in darkness so dense we couldn’t see our hand in front of our fade. I didn’t like it. You never know what monsters lurk in this kind of darkness.
I remember what a relief it was when the tour guide finally switched the small flashlight he was carrying to the “on” position, and I was amazed by how much comfort that little light gave me. I marveled that such a tiny beam of light had the power to chase away such immense darkness.
Two of my greatest fears--far greater than cellars or small spaces or being buried alive--are 1) that any of my children or my children’s children might experience spiritual darkness; and 2) that I might somehow slip into spiritual darkness again.
I know firsthand some of the monsters who lurk there--and I for sure never want those monsters lurking anywhere near my children!
In this sense, I must confess I have a healthy fear of the dark!
(Click here to view a transcript of this episode in its entirety.)
DO ONE THING
Reflect back on times when felt alone in the dark--when you experienced darkness so thick you could feel it. Look closely at the evidence that shows God was never far from you. The evidence is there, I promise. It might have been in the words of a family member, a kindness from a neighbor, the comfort of a friend, the beauty of a song or a verse. He was there.
He was there because He knows where we go when we run away from Him. He knows where we hide.
Click here to listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform.
RESOURCES
"Light Cleaveth to Light" Elder Timothy J. Dyches
Scripture study is one of the most important ways we invite light into our lives. So be sure to download your free copy of "5 Ways to Experience New Insights From the Scriptures."