Boxes and Light

"I feel like hiding in a box". 

Those were the words I disclosed to a friend the other day. 

Now, I know what you're thinking... "But Nicole, boxes aren't very comfortable!" 

I think there are times in all of our lives where we feel like hiding, and are maybe considering never coming out of hiding. Life can be stressful and tough. Sometimes we are hurt, or we hurt others. Maybe we feel we can't keep up with everyone else. We make mistakes. We fall short. We become afraid. Maybe we feel like giving up. So we want to run and hide. We might even build up walls around us, and just stay there within. We can create a box. 

BUT...boxes aren't very comfortable. There is no room for stretching and growth in a box. Boxes are dark inside when they are all closed up. Things in boxes miss out on sharing their purpose to the world. 

So what is your purpose? What is my purpose? Who are we? The Savior offers this answer: 


14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 
-Mathew 5:14-16


Do you know that God designed you to glow? Each of us has light to offer this world. We can be a light, filled with truth and purpose. 

How could I feel like hiding in a box with such a potential to do good? With the brightness of hope? The flame of faith? 

So I can just jump out of my box, escape my hiding, and shine for the whole world this very minute, right? 

Not always. So what do we do?

First, we can accept that we are the light of the world, and that we have the privilege and duty to shine for others, bringing them closer to Christ. But in order to do that, we must come closer to Christ as well. 

In moments of fear, when we are hiding in a box, our flame of faith can grow very dim. We can strengthen this flame through having faith in Christ. The striking first line belonging to a favorite hymn of mine states "The Lord is my light, then why should I fear?" The Lord can give us strength, with which we can do all things. He can heal us. He has atoned for us. His grace is sufficient for us. He can lead us along. With his help and presence in our lives, we can be filled with light, and no darkness can remain. 

This light gives me true joy and true hope. It is a light of eternal love and happiness. It helps me see more clearly all that is placed before me; the perspective being more heavenly. 

As we are filled with this light, we can share it, to spark the flames of others as well. 

Why would I want to hide any of this now? 

Sometimes sharing our light can be daunting. Sometimes our light may seem rejected by others, but that doesn't mean that our flame was blown out. Only we determine that. True, the winds may threaten our flame, but we can continually strengthen it with the foundation of Christ. The rock of our Redeemer "whereon if men build, they cannot fall". (Helaman 5:12)

My light has flickered here and there, and my flame has been threatened, but I can never deny the power of Christ. His light is the source of my light, and it is what I want to share. 

So, don't be afraid of the darkness around you. Share your light. Shine for others. Be kind and loving. Give service. Share your testimony of truth. Give support by small and simple things. Be a disciple of Christ, and lead others to Him. 

"Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World. You will come to feel light growing in your life. It will not come without effort. But it will come as your testimony grows and you choose to nurture it...You will be a light to the world as you share your testimony with others. You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life." 
-Henry B. Eyring

Have faith. Do not hide...especially in a box.