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Let Your Light Shine

Creation Candle Light

Creation Candle Light (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.   It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.  

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.   We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone.  

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  (An excerpt from A Return To Love, a book by motivational speaker and author Marianne Williamson)

Is it possible that we are not held back by feelings of inadequacy, but instead we are afraid of what God can actually accomplish through us? Do we find it difficult to believe that God would entrust us with the abilities required to achieve greatness in His name?  Feelings of inadequacy and insecurity hold us captive, and  lead us to believe that someone else is better equipped or more skilled.  But the true question is, “Why wouldn’t we be able to accomplish greatness through the power of God?” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  We can be sure if God calls us to do something, He will equip us with everything necessary to be used by Him.

Do you remember the childhood game of “Simon Says”?  We tried so diligently to do exactly what Simon said to do.  We never questioned, just eagerly obeyed Simon’s instruction.  But as adults, we do just the opposite.  When God calls us to do something, we do not hesitate in saying ”no”.  Sometimes because we feel inadequate to do the task, but more often than not we are held captive by fear.  If we can overcome that fear and let our light shine for Him, others will find the courage to do the same.  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

This Little Light of Mine by Addison Road – Click the arrow to view

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Dandelion Attitudes

A carefully picked bouquet of dandelions was handed to me by one of my students.  To her dismay, an unappreciative boy pointed out that dandelions are actually nothing but a bitter weed.  The little girl was crushed.  The bouquet she worked so hard to create and was so proud to present to her teacher was suddenly nothing but a bunch of weeds.  I quickly pointed out to the class that there are many weeds that produce pretty flowers.  As bitter as a dandelion may be, it still has a certain beauty to offer.

A little research revealed that dandelions have many good qualities.  Although bitter-tasting, they are surprisingly nutritious containing calcium, iron, vitamins B and C, just to name a few.  Dandelions also have medicinal uses.  They are such a great diuretic that children sometimes wet the bed after playing with them. Who would have thought that bed wetting could be caused by playing with dandelions!  The milk from the stem helps repel mosquitoes and cure worts.  Herbalists recommend dandelions for problems with gall bladder, pancreas, and kidneys.  So, what many consider as a pesky weed on their lawn, actually has many beneficial qualities.

Attitudes can sometimes resemble dandelions.  Maybe they seem attractive initially, but upon tasting we find they are bitter. Then there are those who come across as bitter and harsh, but as we get to know them we see all the good qualities they have to offer.  Psalms 73:21 says, “Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen.”  Times of struggle may temporarily change our view of life from one of beauty to one of bitterness and pain.  It may be such a slow process that, like the psalmist, we suddenly realize our attitudes have shifted from joy to bitterness.  The Psalmist goes on to say in verse 23, “Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand.”  How amazing that even when I am so bitter I don’t even like myself, I am still a child of God.  He does not give up and toss me away like a wilted dandelion.  Instead He continues to hold my hand and guide me through the bitter attitude and the circumstances that caused it.

Dandelions (mlecz)

Dandelions (mlecz) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Like my bouquet, our situation depends on our perspective.  We may have become bitter from the physical or emotional pain we have suffered, but the beauty is that we still belong to God.  He sees all the good qualities that He has instilled in us and the potential that we have.  After all, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”(Ephesians 2:10).  Regardless of how bitter we become, He created us for good, and He has prepared us to accomplish that good.  God constantly holds us in His hand like a beautiful bouquet, bitterness and all, and He continues to loves us through it.

Whatever is causing bitterness in your life, ask God to reveal the beauty and restore your joy today.

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Pruned by the Master Gardener

I am not a gardener.  Over the years, I have planted trees, bushes, mini gardens, and potted flowers, but rarely do I achieve good results.  I have come to the realization that I will never have a beautiful yard, because I simply do not have a green thumb.  Few of the things I plant survive, and those that do must virtually be able to care for themselves! 

I do well in the beginning, but then I slack off and soon everything has begun to wither from the heat and lack of water.  I regain my focus and soon my flowers perk up only to wither again in a few weeks.  I don’t prune for fear of killing something that has actually survived!  I appreciate beautiful flower gardens and those who are blessed with the knowledge, care, and focus required to garden successfully.  They understand that pruning is a process that makes a garden flourish,and they aren’t afraid to act on that knowledge.

God is the master gardener, and we are his garden.  He knows exactly how to care for us and never looses focus.  John 13:1-2 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  Bonsai trees do not produce fruit, but  they are often pruned over decades of time to create a desired shape and size.  Once that goal is reached, trimming is still necessary to maintain the proper shape for the life of the tree.

55 year old Sequoia sempervirens (California R...

55 year old Sequoia sempervirens (California Redwood or Coast Redwood) "Informal Upright" style bonsai tree from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, in New York City. Copyright 2007 Jeffrey O. Gustafson, released to Commons under the GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Imagine each of us as a bonsai tree that God meticulously prunes to achieve amazing results.  He has a goal for each of our lives, and he patiently prunes us removing unhealthy branches in our lives.  Bonsai trees are not only pruned, but also have their limbs twisted and tied into the desired shape until the plant conforms and holds the beautiful shape on its own.

For us, being pruned is often painful and not an easy process, but it helps to remember that we are being formed into the perfect image God desires.   Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Each twist and cut has a purpose.  It may seem that our pruning is more than we can bear, but eventually we will begin to flourish as we learn to rely on him. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalms 139:14).

Thankfully, God is not a haphazard gardener like me.  He loves us and has a plan for each of our lives, and the pruning that we endure serves to make us flourish spiritually. 

Are you feeling the discomfort of pruning today? If so, remember that God cares for you and He is the Master Gardener.

 

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God’s Word & Cell Phones

Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives.  We use them not only for talking but also for texting, taking pictures, accessing the internet, and my favorite playing Words with Friends.  Cell phones are so much more versatile than our old land lines, yet there is a certain amount of upkeep that was not required of our home phones.  If we want the flexiblity of going mobile, cell phones must be charged.  If we’re expecting a call, we must keep a cell phone nearby because the ringtone that matches our personality isn’t as easy to hear as the old “brrrinngggg” that could be heard all through the house. If we don’t want that same personalized ringtone to embarrass us during the preacher’s sermon, we must activate the silent feature.  Our cell phone can be a valuable tool which is available anywhere we go, but if we forget to turn on the volume or don’t keep the battery charged, its features do nothing for us.

God’s word can also be a valuable tool, but if we don’t use it properly is no more beneficial than a dead cell phone.  Psalms 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  I have to be honest and tell you there are many times I read the Bible and get nothing from it.  Then there are times I suddenly understand something I’ve read many times and wonder how I  never saw it before.

Why is it that sometimes we learn something from what we’re reading and other times the scriptures are just a bunch of words?   Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  So then why don’t we always hear from God through the scriptures we read?

As I contemplated these questions, I discovered some important factors that are sometimes overlooked in my own bible studies.

1.  Preparedness – We need to recharge our batteries and be prepared to hear from God through scriptures.  This preparation is accomplished through a heart of repentance.  1 John 1:9 says, ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  We must prepare our hearts and remove anything offensive within us.

2.  Expectancy – Unfortunately, sometimes I read my Bible with no other goal than to get my daily passages read.  That’s like carrying a cell phone without turning it on.  Pray before reading and ask Him to reveal Himself to you through the scripture.  Invite Him to your quiet time, and then expect to hear from Him. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

3.  Attentiveness - God desires a personal relationship with us, but often we read through the scripture without pausing to absorb what God has to say. It’s difficult to hear when we put away our Bible and disconnect before He has time to speak.  In Mark 4:9, Jesus instructs, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”   He can’t speak to us if we never stop long enough to listen.

Like cell phones, God’s word has access to many features:  encouragement, love, promises, forgiveness, guidance, hope, and best of all eternal life.  How often do we go to God with our wish list but never read the Bible and wait for His answer?  Frank Laubach said, “The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says ‘Amen’ and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas.”

Related Posts:  When God Whispers, Do You Hear Him?

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Forgiveness Is Not A Feeling But An Action

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you”.  – Lewis B. Smedes

Without forgiveness, we are held captive by feelings of pain, anger, resentment, doubt, mistrust, and the list goes on.  Every action is based on those feelings which eventually control our lives and slowly begin to change us.  Unforgiveness builds walls around us which block out communication, trust, and love.  It is impossible to break free of the cell we have constructed around ourselves until we find the strength and courage to forgive.  Often relationships are damaged more extensively by the choice NOT to forgive than by the actual offense committed, because over time our perception of the situation becomes distorted and seems worse than it actually was.

We build walls to protect ourselves from being hurt again.  Unfortunately, those walls not only stand between us and our offender, but walls are also being constructed between us and God.  Mark 11:25 says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Before we can experience God’s mercy, we are required by Him to show mercy to others.  If we choose not to forgive, we are truly held captive by our feelings and become isolated from Him.  It may be difficult to hear his voice when reading scripture or to feel His presence in every day activities because we are so consumed by feelings caused by unforgiveness.

We aren’t quick to forgive because many times we want the offender to suffer for what they’ve done to us.   We want them to earn our forgiveness. To prove they are worthy.  We want to see a change in them before we allow our minds to forgive and our hearts to heal. But  Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  The phrase “bear with each other” indicates that it won’t be easy, yet we are expected to forgive because we have been forgiven.

Forgiveness is not a feeling, but an action.  We may not FEEL like forgiving the other person, but its a step toward freedom from all the feelings that hold us back. Forgiveness is a choice that allows us to move on with our lives and no longer dwell on the pain we’ve endured.  It is a powerful healing tool.  The moment we choose to forgive, our hearts begin to heal and relationships begin to mend.  Forgiveness of others allows us to be forgiven by God so that our relationship with Him can also be mended.  “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,” (Matthew 6:14).

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act: it is an attitude.” It’s not something we do when we feel like it.  According to scripture, it should be a characteristic of those who have been forgiven.  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” (Ephesians 4:32).  Forgiveness is not easily found in the eyes of others, but can be found simply in the scars of Jesus Christ.

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