I had the opportunity to speak on a conference call about finding our personal messages. It led me to the verse in Matthew 5:16 that says, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." This scripture has found a place in the deep crevices of my heart.
It led me to think about my light and what it means to let it shine. It is scary to step out of my comfort zone and do things I have never done before, especially when it means exposing my heart to others. That is what my light is, it is who I am. My light is my heart. Why in the world would I want to be so exposed to others? Why would I want to put myself out there? When I am letting my light shine I am exposing myself, I am putting myself out there.
About a month ago I sang in church. It happened to be a Sunday when they had a baby blessing, which meant that there were extra people. As I prepared for that day I wanted to know the song by heart. I wanted every word to come straight from my heart. I wanted people to feel how I felt about this song. I poured my heart into my practices, every one. I have never cried so much when preparing a song. At the time I was so surprised that I was crying so much. Looking back I now understand that it was because each time I practiced I was putting more of my heart into the song and letting more of the song into my heart. The morning of the performance I could barely sit still. I was uncontrollably nervous. I knew that I would be able to remember the words. But here I was about ready to pour my heart and soul out in front of 150 people. I started panicking. What was I thinking? Why did I want to do this? That morning I understood the concept of having a constant prayer in your heart. From the moment I woke up I was praying. If I couldn't do it out loud I was doing it in my head. Thankfully, as I stepped up to the podium and began singing and sharing I knew exactly what I had been thinking. I loved this song and I wanted to share my love for music and this song in particular with my friends. But more than that, I wanted to share myself with my friends. When I reached my favorite point in the song I widened my stance and sunk my feet into the floor. I stood with firmness and confidence. I was letting my light shine and it felt so great.
I have honestly never been as happy as I am now that I am standing in my light and letting it shine. I am declaring to myself who I am. I am claiming it, one piece at a time, one day at a time. I am beginning to really share it with others. I am letting them see my good works. I am letting them see my truths. These days when someone gives me a compliment I can accept it, even own it. I respond with "Thank you!" This is me. This is who I am, and while I have a ways to go to get to who I want be, I have some incredible talents right now. I have found that the more I claim those talents and share who I am with others the happier I have become.
It interesting to me that in this scripture Christ compares sharing our talents and who we are to a light. A few weeks ago I had someone tell me that I have a glow around me (and I'm not pregnant!). I know that the "glow" comes from my happiness within me. It is coming from me being true to myself and sharing my heart and my message with others. Sharing myself has led to such happiness that there is a glow. Now I understand why Christ would compare us to a light, a light that has a glow. A light that leads others to their light, their happiness.
As we live true to who we are and we share that with others, we light the path for them to find who they are and find their greater happiness. So go forth. Stand in your light. Claim your truths. Let others recognize your greatness. Share who you are. It will lead to greater happiness for you and for others.
This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. My day is better now. :-)
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