People have called me many things in my life, both good and bad. For some reason I thought it was okay to readily accept and carry the burden of the bad, yet brush off the good and believe that ‘they’re just saying that.’ I did this for many reasons:
1) Comparison – ‘but xyz is better than me at that, xyz is stronger, xyz is more gifted, more anointed’ ‘I can only do..’
2) Fear – ‘I don’t want them to think I’m…’ ‘If I walk in this it might fail’ ‘what if people laugh’ ‘I may get in trouble’
3) Not trusting the God in me. This is self-explanatory
I was afraid that walking in my light meant arrogance, I was afraid that walking in my light meant new responsibilities (truth be told I was afraid of failing people), I was afraid that walking in my light meant ‘new levels, new devils.’ I failed to think ‘same level = mediocrity.’ I let myself get sucked into a false humility, it was false because somewhere deep inside me, I knew that what these people were saying had some truth to it (smile if this is you too).
I wanted to remain unseen, go unnoticed, play a small role and that would be that. But that’s not God’s plan for me. God’s will is that I shine like a bright light in a crooked and perverse world (Philippians 2 vs 16). That means standing out, refusing to be timid because that’s not the spirit that God gave me (2 Timothy 1:7) but the attitude that I allowed the world to instill in me. How? We are taught to sell ourselves short, be confident but only as long as everyone around you is comfortable with it, chase your ‘dreams’ only if everyone around you is okay with it, if they aren’t, change your dream. But hold on! God said I can boast in Him (1 Corinthians 1:31), He also told me that people do not light a lamp just to put it under a bowl (Matthew 5:14-16). FURTHERMORE HIS plan for me is that I prosper and have HOPE (don’t let anybody steal your hope or make you feel inferior because you have it and they don’t) and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I’m certain of this, I am not certain of anybody elses plans for me though (sorry not sorry).
What I’m trying to say is, shine to the glory of God. Don’t be afraid of being excellent, don’t be afraid of compliments, don’t be afraid to just accept and say thank you. It wont hurt you. Don’t be afraid of your light. God gave whatever it is to you for a reason, it was no accident. Use it or lose it (parable of the talents and Matthew 13:12). The only way anything can go wrong is if you try to shine according to your own understanding, if you begin to look at yourself like ‘hey, check me out, I am amazing, look at all these people loving me, relying on me, praising me’ (see what happened to king Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel chapter 4). Always let the praise go back to God after all it is His power working through you. Pray for humility, wisdom, guidance, cover yourself in prayer constantly. Pray also for wise counsel, people who won’t gas you unnecessarily, friends and not fans. Pray for people who wont tear you down unnecessarily either.
Care what God says. Yes people can have their opinions but ultimately God has the knowledge.
I’m ready to shine, are you? 🙂
I’m ready!
Yas honey!