My friend and I were having a discussion years ago about sharing the gospel, visiting teaching, and feeling uplifted, all by being social. ⁣

And her very introverted husband interrupted us and asked this question. ⁣

It kind of stopped me in my tracks, because I had just been talking about how connecting and talking with people was how I felt the love of God working in my life. ⁣

I don’t think I had a great answer for him then, but I have never forgotten his question. ⁣

Jesus taught:

“Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:16)

And since I’m pretty extroverted, it’s not natural for me to understand others’ desires to NOT be social and interact with people. ⁣

But I feel that as I’ve matured and grown, I’ve learned that absolutely 100% without a doubt that introverted people can still let their lights shine and be perfect examples of gospel living. ⁣

Why?⁣

Because we ALL have the light of Christ within us. ⁣

Sharing our “light” doesn’t mean getting up on stage and belting out a solo.

It doesn’t mean carrying out lengthy conversations with everyone in the ward.

It doesn’t mean putting your testimony on social media every single day. ⁣

It CAN mean those things, but it certainly doesn’t have to. ⁣

Letting our light shine means letting the Light of Christ naturally shine through as we develop our strengths that we have been given. ⁣

And if that means that you think your “shining” looks different, smaller, or less interesting than the ways that other people “shine”, it truly doesn’t matter. ⁣

If we are doing good works and leaning into our unique strengths, Christ can help us become more than we are now. ⁣

He can amplify our light and stretch us to become even brighter. ⁣

So what is YOUR unique way that you can shine? It will probably look different than mine, or your spouse’s, or your friend’s –

But comparison is the thief of joy. ⁣

So turn your attention to the Savior – how can you let your personal God-given light shine in the best way that only you can?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Introverted disciples first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Oh yeah, yeah. The light of Christ. Everyone receives it.

But I’ve usually heard it in CONTRAST with the GIFT of the Holy Ghost.

Every individual born on earth is given the light of Christ, but those who make baptismal covenants with God have access to His constant presence.

But I don’t want to contrast it today.

EVERYONE is given the light of Christ.

AMAZING!

Everyone is given that innate desire to become better.

That guiding light that pulls them toward goodness and truth.

Members of the restored church of Jesus Christ don’t even come close to having a monopoly on goodness in the world.

And prophets have confirmed that this is in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy!

“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”. (Joel 2:28)

President Joseph Fielding Smith said of Joel’s words:

“I am not going to confine this prophecy to the members of the Church. The Lord said he would pour out his Spirit upon all flesh. … [This means that] the Lord would pour out his blessings and his Spirit upon all people and use them to accomplish his purposes”.

The Lord is using EVERYONE to accomplish His purposes in these final days.

And President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“From the day that He and His Beloved Son manifested themselves to the boy Joseph, there has been a tremendous cascade of enlightenment poured out upon the world. … The vision of Joel has been fulfilled”.

Invention and advancement and ingenuity.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being part of God’s covenant people and having access to an even greater portion of His spirit, priesthood power, and ordinances.

But everyone else in the entire world has opportunities to move His work forward, too.

They’ve got His spirit. They’ve got blessings from Him.

No one is lost to Him.

God is pouring out His spirit upon ALL flesh.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The light of Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.