Let’s talk about lichens, shall we?
A lichen is actually a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae.
Alone, a fungus can survive.
However, it cannot photosynthesize.
But when it combines with an algae, it can.
Together, it becomes something new—a lichen.
Together, the algae can gather moisture and nutrients.
It provides an anchor for the fungus.
But importantly, algae is not capable of growing the tough layers of protective tissue or digesting rock for the fungus until it is partnered with it.
Only then is it an anchor for the fungus.
Only then is it protection.
Only then does it provide nutrients from rock.
Together, they form something entirely new that is capable of so much more, helping each other thrive.
Isn’t that incredible?!
Let’s lichen this unto ourselves, shall we? 😉
We too, of course, can go through this life alone. We could be like the fungus. Just hanging around, doing our fungus thing.
But Christ desperately wants to partner with us.
He “is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him— Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin..
“unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles […] and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.” (D&C 45:4 & 8)
If we partner with the Savior, we are given access to so many capabilities and blessings we would not have access to on our own. Miracles. Eternal life.
That is God’s work and glory after all – to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.
Thus, the intertwining of our life with God benefits all.
And when we partner with Him, like the fungus, we will be provided with an anchor. Protection. Nutrients.
He will help us create light from the darkness.
Literally becoming new beings in Christ.
And that…(and He)…is something to cling on to.
Thanks to my bishop, Bishop Lake, for sharing this powerful analogy a couple of months ago!!
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