Permission to shine
I don’t enjoy being the center of attention. I tend to be more of a nerdy wallflower in the world, watching the class clowns, student body presidents, and homecoming queens vie for the stage. I often deflect the spotlight, but there is such a thing as too much humility.
In the verse that precedes this one, Jesus says, “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” He has a point. All of us have things we excel in, whether we recognize, embrace, and share them, or not. No one gains the benefit of your awesomeness if you keep it hidden.
Inspirational author Marianne Williamson in her book A Return To Love says this: “We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
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When you allow your light to shine, you inspire and motivate me to shine brighter. And vice versa. Then we all get to benefit from what God has given each of us.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ”