You Have to Glow Yourself
- Salvatore Santaniello
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
A story about trying to fix everything.
There was a season when I thought my job was to solve everyone's problems. Employees. Family. Clients. Relationships. If someone was hurting, I'd jump in. If something was broken, I'd grab a hammer. I honestly believed that was what strong people did. Then one day I realized something uncomfortable. I was exhausted. Not physically. Spiritually. I was trying to hand out light while quietly sitting in the dark myself.
The hard part was admitting that helping had become part of how I measured my worth. If I could solve the problem; calm the conflict; repair the damage; or carry the weight; then I felt useful. But Jesus Christ never asked me to prove my value by exhausting myself. He already knew my worth. What I needed was not another problem to fix. I needed time with Him.
That's when President Thomas S. Monson's simple statement finally made sense:
"If you want to give light to others, you have to glow yourself."
I used to think "glowing" meant looking like a good Christian.
It doesn't.
It means staying close enough to Jesus Christ that His light naturally becomes part of who we are.
"Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world."
Christ never told us to manufacture light.
He simply told us to hold it up.
There's a difference.
Manufactured light depends on effort. We push harder; speak louder; work longer; and try to become everything for everyone. But the light of Christ works differently. It grows through prayer; scripture; repentance; service; and quiet time with the Savior. It does not demand that we rescue the whole world. It asks us to stay connected to the One who already did.
Personal Application
I've spent years trying to rescue people.
Sometimes I helped.
Sometimes I only wore myself out.
I've learned that the people I love most don't need a burned-out version of me.
They need someone who spends enough time with Christ that peace, patience, kindness, and hope become contagious.
That's what President Monson meant.
The people we love do not need a burned-out version of us. They need someone who stays close enough to Jesus Christ that His peace; patience; kindness; and hope become contagious.
Invitation
This week, don't focus on shining.
Focus on staying close to the Savior.
The light takes care of itself.
I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thomas S. Monson – "Be Thou an Example" (1975)
Scripture
3 Nephi 18.
Jesus Christ; Light of Christ; Thomas S. Monson; General Conference; Christian service; Spiritual burnout; Faith; Personal growth; Helping others; LDS talks; 3 Nephi; My LDS Talks