“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, talented, 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 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.”
Marianne Williamson
I heard this powerful quote yesterday in a message at church and it occurred to me that I walk between two realities. I am made in the image and likeness of God. I also know that I live east of Eden. I no longer live in the garden. I am broken and flawed. I struggle, many times, to do the right thing.
Often I tend to think of myself as average. Average intelligence, somewhat gifted, passable in looks. Every once a while I have a ‘brilliant’ moment or two. I can tend to focus on what I am not.
But this quote takes me back to the ‘real’ reality. I am a child of God. His spirit resides within me. That is what people see when I get out of the way. Because of Him I am who I am. My playing small does not serve the world….and neither does yours.
I invite you to give this some thought today. How do you ‘play small? How do you diminish the glory of God that is within you? Spend some time pondering these questions and considering what response God wants to invite in you. May you let your light shine.
Blessings,
Deb
1 comments:
A friend of mine sent this comment to my personal email and I wanted to share it with the rest of you....
"I too liked the quote you shared because too often we DO diminish the work of and gifts given by God in our lives. If we are to reflect Him, if we are indeed made in His image, would we really be the talent-less, dull, ignorant, and ugly creatures we often project ourselves to be? I think finding that balance of humble acknowledgement of WHO is the source of all that we are and realizing the awesome glory of God and who He is, there is the challenge. I am nothing compared to Him (who am I that God is mindful of me?), yet He chooses to impart wisdom to me, to give me gifts (abilities), to adopt me as His child, to put His very Spirit within me. It is a challenging line to walk so as not to fall into pride, but instead to give glory and honor to God, to walk in such a way as to point others toward God --- that they might see Him (I am purposely leaving the “through me” out because IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!). Without Him, I AM nothing, but because of Him, with Him, I have value. He sure paid a huge price for me."
Gladys
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