Clean the Inside of Your Cup And You'll Shine on the Outside

This week when I cam across Matthew 23:26, “…cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also,” I couldn’t help but think of the scripture from Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  

Though these two scripture verses are from different settings and circumstances in the Bible. The relationship between the two is significant to me.  

In order for our light to shine for others to see, we must be doing those things to have that light with us.  We must be clean and righteous.  The light is a reflection of our Savior, who’s light it is that is shining within us. 

By repenting and turning our ways to the Lords ways, we are cleaning the inside of our cups.  Our spirits our renewed.  The renewal helps us change our ways to act as the Savior would have us act and others see that; the outside of our cups.  

This pondering reminded me of a moment I had in the Seattle Temple a few years ago.  I was sitting in the Celestial room pondering the videos from Elder Bednar about Patterns of Light.  I looked up to the chandelier and felt that Christ is the light, and we can all be the crystals of that chandelier reflecting his light in a beautiful and impressive way.  I believe I had heard this chandelier metaphor from someone, somewhere, and I wanted to experience it myself.  And I did that day in the temple.  I received light, love and understanding from Him and I hope I can do my part to reflect that love and light to others by doing what I need to cleanse my inner vessel often by repenting and living the way Christ asks.  

Thoughts of the Week

This week our instructor posed a thoughtful question to our class: If I were going on a journey with my close friends and love ones, knowing when I got there my life would end, “What would you say to them? What might you warn them about? Any encouragement you’d want to leave with them? Overall, what would you want them to remember about you?”

I thought about those people in my life that I love so dearly.  And the first thing I would want them to know is how much I love them. Then I would want them to know how wonderful they are.  I thought about different people in my life, and their unique and special qualities. I would want them to know how important they are and how much potential they have because they are divine children of our Heavenly Father.  

This week we also read the parable of the lost son. Luke 15:11-32.  

In the past, this is a story that I had a hard time with because I felt as the son who had stayed had. I thought the situation was unfair and unjust to the son that stayed home.  I am so grateful that as I try to come closer to the Lord, keep His commandment, change my life and will to align with His, my feelings of judgment and jealousy have diminished about this situation.  I can feel as the father in the story feels; compassionate and happy about the return.

The New Testament student manual says, “The parable of the prodigal son teaches us much about the nature and attributes of our Father in Heaven. Like the father in the parable, God will not control us, keep us from straying, or keep us from making selfish, foolish errors. Yet His love never diminishes. He is so anxious to have us return that He will run to us when we are still “a great way off”.  He knows us so well that He can recognize our better selves when no one else can. Each of us, male or female, will be able to recognize something of ourselves in each of the sons in the parable.”(pg 171)

I know I am far from perfect, and my life falls short too many times to think that I am close to it. But I do know, that because of my Savior, my efforts to try to follow and be more like Him, bring peace and hope to my soul.  I also believe that because I am sincerely trying to be more like him, my heart has changed to be more like the father in the story. 

 So on my journey with my close friends and all children of the earth, I want you to know of your divine worth.  I want you to jump on or continue on the path back to Heavenly Father. I want you to know that through Jesus Christ’s teachings, commandments, covenants and atonement that it is possible.