Uncapping the Pen: Seeing the Richness in the Ordinary

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt like your life was in a golden cage? A comfortable routine, maybe, but one where the true colors—the vibrant, wonderful, and utterly unique colors of your potential—are just covered in cobwebs?

I was thinking this week about the power of small, seemingly insignificant actions. We often think of big life changes—a career shift, moving across the country, or even a major revelation in our understanding of the gospel. We wait for the seismic shift, the dramatic moment where everything clicks into place. But what if the catalyst isn't a grand event, but the simple act of *seeing*?

I came across a talk by Danny Gregory, and it really struck a chord with me, especially as I think about our calling to be Internet missionaries and disciples everywhere. He spoke about drawing, about art, and how this simple habit can unleash powers that change everything. It made me think about how we approach our own discipleship.

We can get so focused on the *next* big thing—the next transfer, the next mission call, the next major scripture study—that we forget to appreciate the richness of the *now*. We might be filling our lives with pictures and stories about our ordinary days: the quiet moments in the temple, the breakthrough in a missionary discussion, the shared laughter during a Book Club session in HolyPlaces. And suddenly, you realize that ordinary life, when seen through the lens of the Spirit, is incredibly rich and wonderful.

It’s easy to let the inner critic whisper that we "don't have time," or that we "aren't talented enough" to be the disciple we know we can be. We feel like we have to be "more" or "better" before we can truly step out into the field. But what if the power to see clearly—to see the divine potential in the mundane—is the very thing that unlocks the next step?

When we commit to seeing our lives through the lens of Christlike living, we start brushing those cobwebs off. We start noticing the beauty in the simple act of keeping our covenants, or the profound truth revealed during a Bible Study Group. We start realizing that our childhood dreams—the desire to serve, the desire to learn, the desire to feel the Spirit's companionship—are still valid, even if our circumstances have changed.

This isn't just about art, though. This is about making the gospel visible in the everyday. It’s about realizing that every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. You don't need to be in the MTC, or even on a mission, to be doing the work. You just need to open your eyes and look for the light.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to take a moment this week to practice *seeing*. Maybe it’s noticing three specific things of beauty in your commute. Maybe it’s spending ten minutes in LivingBook, using the social scripture study layer to reflect on a passage that spoke to you. Don't wait for the grand revelation; start with the small act of observation.

If you want to explore how to tackle those big, scary feelings of freedom and change—the fear that comes when you realize what you *could* be—I highly recommend checking out some of the recent teachings from the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. And if you want to talk through some of the hard questions that come up when we talk about the Plan of Salvation, I invite you to connect with Davee. He’s ready to walk you through some challenging investigator questions!

What small act of seeing will you commit to this week? Let’s keep building the Kingdom, one clear-eyed moment at a time.

Next Steps for Your Discipleship Journey

If you're looking for a place to deepen your study, remember that Book Clubs and Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces are wonderful places to connect with others who are also seeking to see clearly. For a free weekly challenge to keep your focus sharp, check out the Disciple Challenge link below!

✨ Join the Free Weekly Disciple Challenge Today!