Monday, April 13, 2015

Recipients of Radiation


"Every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone, it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. Every person is a recipient of radiation. The Savior was conscious of that. Whenever he came into the presence of an individual, he sensed that radiation. . . . He was conscious of the radiation from the individual. And to a degree so are you, and so am I. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

"… As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts, if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them.

"No matter what you are people will feel and recognize this. You radiate, you can’t hide it. You may pretend something else, but that will not affect people."

President David O. McKay, Teachings

My mother-in-law shared this quote today and I loved it so much I had to share it too. I don't really know what else to say about it--he says it so well that I don't really have anything to add. Who we are, what we say and do and choose to be matters--not only because of what it does for ourselves, but for what it can do for others. My life has been forever changed for good by individuals who radiated goodness and sincere love for the people around them. And the cases I am thinking of specifically, right now, they were people that I hardly knew. It had nothing to do with a deep knowledge of them or a wealth of shared experiences with them. It was because they practically shone, they were so full of light.

There is still so much about me that is selfish and not quite right and I wonder sometimes how I know what exactly I am "radiating." I feel like Isaiah 32:17 has the answer:

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

I have decided that this is going to be my "go-to" scripture to assess if I am progressing and becoming more like these people who have so positively influenced me through their Christ-like examples. Do I feel peace? Do I feel quietness inside myself? Do I feel assurance with who I am or about the words I just spoke or the thoughts I am thinking. Quietness, peace, assurance: they are what you feel when you are doing what is right. And people who feel that quietness, peace, and assurance are radiant. I know it is a process and it takes time (ugh, more of that patience that is required.) I know it takes a lifetime and longer of work. And I know what it really is, divinity, the love of Christ, shining through us. And I also know it can't be faked.

Feed My Sheep, David Koch
-Elin
Who loves the story of Peter and his enthusiastic leap into the water (found here), depicted so perfectly above. Now that I think of it, that wasn't his first time getting out of a boat in the middle of the sea and heading towards Christ. Hmmmm., I will have to think a little bit more about the parallel between the two events...Sorry, this post is kind of disjointed and random. I need to get more sleep.

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