However, shining is not about being seen - not in God's kingdom, I believe. It's about reflecting the Light and Love of God to the world. It's about highlighting His path through a world of darkness. It's about being a beacon in the storm for the 'ships' passing by in your life, that offers safe travel and hope.
However, I have an old habit of running ahead of the light at times, even though I know, from experience and by a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit, that to run ahead of the Light is to stumble in the darkness. And I did that again this week.
You see, in wanting to do all God's called to me, I had to get to a place where I was comfortable with the idea of 'shining' - which, I must add, I am only comfortable with if it's for God's glory and to benefit others. And in getting to that place I was suddenly tired of not living up to my potential - which I've not seen prior to God drawing my attention to it lately. I mean, I guess I always knew with God potential can be grand no matter what its size, but my heart wasn't open to it prior to this latest 'comfort zone' I've found myself to be in with God and 'shining.'
On Monday, in being at peace with having potential and wanting to live up to it, I figured I'd get the ball rolling with something physical. I think I should've chosen exercise but I went with "polishing" up my house. So... two hours after I had started tidying and rearranging my loungeroom - with its heavy chairs, very heavy [fully stocked] tv cabinet, and extremely heavy antique piano - not to mention my desk and other bits and pieces, I found myself highly disappointed with the outcome, as I had had to put everything back to where it had been in the first place, and had pulled a muscle in my hip in the process!!! AND, now, sitting out in the dining room, was a whole heap of books and other bits and pieces I didn't know where to put! I had created a bigger mess for myself than I had held two hours earlier!
Talk about feeling deflated!
In my disappointed, I poured myself a tall glass of "WHINE" ;) - so to speak, and declared housework to be an evil thing! ;)
It was when my son, Tim, pointed out that the lesson may have been, "Don't fix what's not broken..."
That got me... right where it hurts: In my ego. lol... You see, I have a habit of tossing everything out and starting again. :) Usually with my character. That's how I would garden if I took the time to garden: I would rip up everything, not just the weeds, and replant! I would gladly start from scratch... But, in this case, the furniture had to be put back to where it was because it was already in the best position for this room, and I had more mess than I started with.
My hubby would agree that if there was a lesson to be had here, it is, in reaching for my potential, I must allow God to grow it, and, at the same time, not cast off anything that doesn't need fixing in my character. It's not that God wants to take me and make me new, especially after I've been walking with Him for 21 years, but He simply wants to continue to bring out the best of me - for a purpose.
God wants to bring out the best of you for a purpose. Not because you're a disappointment, not because He's looking for a reason to love and accept you - for He already does that. He just knows there's greater freedom in you being all you can be - and that for you. And, of course, He knows that you at your best will not only benefit from a freer, better, more rewarding life, but you'll also help shine the light to His heart - for those who are yet to find it - and shine a light that highlights the path to greater love, peace, healing and freedom. But, in the process, one must remember that God's not trying to wipe you out; He's not asking you to be rid of your character. He is setting your character free - and that for many great reasons.
You have a purpose in this life - more than one, I'm sure - and you already have great potential in you. God's simply seeking to help you realise that.
In my early marriage years, Tim (my hubby) said that he chose to marry me because God had shown him my potential. Personally, at the time, and for every year that followed - until the last few days - I saw that as a major insult. Since arriving at this new place this week, where my eyes now see a bit more clearly, I am suddenly aware that what Tim was actually saying then, and in the 20 years that have followed, is "I believe in you..." How great is that. :)
When God seeks to help you realise your potential, He's not saying you're not good enough. He's saying, "I believe in you..." and, "If anyone can do it, you can..."
What is it you've been putting off doing? What is it you know you're called to do but have shelved? What is it that stirs the passion in your heart but the world has sought to quash? How much of your precious heart - which is your true/truly beautiful self - are you hiding from the world? What is in you that you KNOW is there, or even simply HOPE is there, that, in God's hand, can prove to be one of the most precious gems this world has ever seen?
"God believes in you." Isn't that a great thought. :)
Whether you believe in God or not, He still believes in you. :)
Love and peace,
Donna.
xxxxx