Walking Away

Walking Away 

"If you keep not my commandments, the love of the father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness." 

Doctrine & Covenants 97:12



When I read this verse earlier this week I reacted negatively. I know God loves me even when I fall short. Worse, this felt manipulative, like, "Do what I say or I won't love you anymore." Yuck.

Then I read it again this morning during Gospel Doctrine class and I saw it with new eyes. When I walk my own path away from God (and reality) it does not lead me to light but to darkness. If I walk away from light it does not mean the light has stopped shining. The light never stops shining. God never stops loving me. He does not withhold his love. Ever. But I may be too far away to feel it. 

Seen this way it softens my heart. It sounds more like, at the very least, a reminder that God wants me to stay close to him. And I know from experience that the moment I turn around the light is instantly there.

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