Shine, shine, SHINE! :-)

Do you allow your light to shine?

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) says:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

So when I read that, it seems like it’s telling us to “show off” our good deeds?  That seems a bit prideful doesn’t it?  As I thought more about the meaning of this verse, I was reminded of a gal who was in Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and promising to be a great instructor, but she didn’t think she would ever actually teach because (like me at an earlier age) she was painfully shy.

How many times do we allow our own insecurities hold us back from sharing our gifts with others that could really help them?  If you recall, great leaders in the Bible had the same fears.  Moses protested to God when asked to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage because he didn’t think he could speak well.  Queen Esther was afraid to approach the king to save her people.  Jonah ran the opposite way where God was leading him to preach….and was swallowed up by a whale.  Peter walked on the water with Jesus, but began to sink when he allowed fear to creep into his mind.

When we stop focusing on our darkness, our imperfections and fears, and look at how we can help others with our gifts, talents and knowledge, that is when we can let our light really shine!  And when everyone allows their light to shine, we are a reflection of His glory that illuminates the path for others to see God’s love.