Sabbath Devotional: Multiply and Replenish

The last few weeks (months?) have felt so heavy — political violence, the nonstop news cycle and pace of politics, people in my life facing difficult situations. It’s easy to feel really overwhelmed and even powerless in the face of everything that’s happening. 

In a recent fireside*, President Camille Johnson said that when we’re feeling that way, we can “counter the negative and shine light in every corner of darkness.” Christ’s light can shine through that darkness. And as we bring Christ’s “relief and light to others, we find our own relief in Him.” 

She shared a few ideas for how we can let that light shine through us:

“Be a peacemaker in your own home, community, and in your online presence.” 

“Relieve suffering in your own neighborhood.”

“Be agents for good, for peace, for hope.”

“Counter disinformation by sharing uplifting, hopeful, and accurate information — becoming advocates of truth rather than just consumers of information.” 

“Answer negativity by flooding the world with the light and good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

That sounds a lot like the work we’re doing here at MWEG! As we try to follow President Nelson’s and Christ’s calls to be peacemakers, we are shining light into the darkness. As we try to “stand for truth and righteousness” when we share good information, advocate for ethics, and build community, we are shining light into the darkness.

I’ve loved the chance to focus on ways to bring more light into my life and community with MWEG’s summer program “Move in Closer,” which is all about simple ways to connect, practice peace, and lift others. And I love seeing the ways other MWEG members are working on that, too. These actions are shining light! It fills me with hope when I see the ways you’re stepping up, speaking out, and caring for each other.

President Johnson also spoke about three areas of stewardship:

• The earth and its resources

• Our gifts, talents and blessings

• Each other/God’s children

She reframes the idea of “multiplying and replenishing” around these areas we have stewardship over, and poses some questions to help us think about how we can multiply and replenish:

• How can I multiply the gifts that the Lord has given me and others?

• How can I multiply love toward God’s children?

• How can I multiply my time and effort to serve others?

• How can I replenish my own spiritual well?

• How can I replenish what others have lost, whether temporal or spiritual?

• How can I replenish hope and faith that seems to be lost for many in the world?

I love these questions! What questions would you add to her list? What can you do to multiply and replenish in your areas of stewardship? 

I have been thinking a lot about this framing of stewardship and multiplying and replenishing, along with these questions, as I consider how I’m approaching my relationships, my calling, my work, my advocacy. It has helped me focus on the areas I can have an impact; the areas I have a responsibility and stewardship over. It helps me overcome feelings of powerlessness and overwhelm through small actions that bring light and hope, that replenish my ability to continue working, serving, and advocating. 

For example, in my efforts to be a righteous steward over God’s children (one of the areas Pres. Johnson discussed), I can’t solve child hunger all on my own. But I can take dinner to a neighbor family in need, spiritually (and sometimes physically!) nourish the primary children in my ward by serving in my calling, support local food banks, and write to my legislators about funding for needed food programs. Doing these things helps me replenish community connections, multiply my love and others’ efforts, and replenish my hope that we can bring light and hope to others.

No one of us can dispel all the darkness on our own. But when each of us is working to multiply and replenish, we are shining light, bringing hope, and making a positive impact. Together, we can replenish peace and hope and multiply each other’s efforts for good.

. . . . . . . .

* Righteous Stewards — Disciples of Jesus Christ by President Camille N. Johnson. I highly recommend her entire talk! It is fantastic!

---

Megan Seawright is the communications director at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.