Filled With Light

We had a training in zone conference about letting our purpose drive every single thing that we do as missionaries, and to be honest, when the training was given, I didn't get it. I had no clue how to do that or what it meant. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

Which is great and full of depth and focus. But I was confused as to how I could have that purpose impact how I eat breakfast or how I work out or how I shop. However, as understanding eluded me, I continued to wrestle about what I could do to let my purpose drive everything. I read this as I struggled to learn, 

And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

Here is an if-then principle from the Lord: if my eye is single to God's glory, then I will be full of light and understand all things. Having eyes single to God's glory is an incredible example of grace. The fact that we even can partake of his divine nature and be enlarged to comprehend Him fills me with gratitude. 

But anytime there's an if-then statement in the scriptures, I like to test it. In the safeguards for missionaries, it explains this principle:

To have your eye single to the glory of God means to have your focus completely on God’s purpose—which is also your purpose as a missionary.

So if my focus is always on my purpose, then I will understand all things. So to put it simply, in order to receive understanding about how to have my purpose drive everything I do, I learned that the prerequisite is doing just that! It's one eternal round! We've been discussing in comp study how we can do this better. Instead of being isolated in the gym, we play Pickleball with a bunch of local older people outside. Instead of studying in our apartment, we do it in the community room. Instead of just getting what we need at the store, we talk to everyone. 

And as a consequence of these experiences, I gained understanding! The promise is true, He really is bound to bless us when we do what He says. I've received so much light and truth on my mission, and I'm grateful for my decision to serve. I love the people I'm teaching now and I love the people I've been able to serve. Go and find a new friend this week, it's truly a great joy. I love you guys. 

-Elder Dahl