This past Sunday I was able to witness a guitar student give his missionary farewell. It is always great to see people grow strong in beliefs, character and charisma; and this student of mine is by no means any exception to that rule. And I will say that watching him give his farewell address he had great poise and integrity that showed far beyond his years.
With that being said, there is something that I was a little worried about myself when I was sitting there observing the meeting. Elder Credille, my students name, spoke of testimonies and how one gains a testimony and strengthens his knowledge. He spoke of how a testimony is a witness of the spirit about truths, and that by desiring to seek truth and knowledge one gains those witnesses and understandings. This was all wonderful sentiments and thoughts, but I couldn't help but feel that there was an important thing missing for myself.
I'm going to admit something here that I shouldn't . . . I'm not a good person. I know that some people will dispute that fact and that other's will say "No shocker there!" The reason why I am not a good person is because I live amongst shadows of truth and belief and feel a lot more comfortable there then in the active spotlight. Oh, I'll hold callings and try to "magnify" them as best as I can. I may even go a little overboard in trying to be the best "calling" I can be. That isn't what I mean by living in the shadows. I think I live my life at times without being as active in my testimony as one can be and live amongst the shine and glow of those around me.
A little while ago, I was in a High Priest meeting with my father where it was mentioned that living your life shows how strong your testimony is. My problem is that I live that way too much. And, to return to my original problem, I feel like living your life without annoucing things prominantly doesn't make you stand out brightly. It is important to verbally re-enforce your beliefs. To hear your voice say the things that you belive and contemplate about what just came out of your mouth. Your testimony NEEDS a vocal component or else you are just living in the shadows like myself. Heavenly Father needs to hear it. Your friends, colleges and family need to hear it. And most importantly you need to hear it.
It's that reverberation in your ears that becomes important. It reinforces those actions that you live, but more importantly it puts those beliefs into the heads and hearts of others. A Testimony cannot live soly within ones self, but lives by the helping and upbuilding of others.
So my friend/student gave a great farewell. I would just add that, for me, without the adding of "shouting your beliefs from the rooftops" that we are not doing justice to our testimony. And as for me . . . I'm tired of living in shadows.