_edited.png)
Do you know that you are the light of the world and have been given the mandate to shine?
God has put you in this world for a specific purpose. He put within each and every one of us gifts and talents for the manifestation of his glory on earth. Shining is being conspicuously evident or clear. It is being the best version of ourselves, utilizing our gifts and talents for his glory. This is not only for a selected few as it may seem, but it is also for you too. God did not create you to hide you, but to go into the world and make a difference.
See Matthew 5: 15 (MSG) If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-Shine.
I would say that shining, is becoming all that we have be created to be. This is done by using our gifts and talents which would result in us having all he has already prepared for us to have.
As I grow in Christ, I am discovering that his desire for us is to shine from the inside out. He wants to expose all the lies we have been told by helping us discover who we truly are, live life through us, and help us become the best version of ourselves so we can draw others to him. It says in his word that deep darkness will cover the earth and right now we can definitely agree that the world is in a very dark place. But there is hope-Christ living in you and through you is that hope.
As you would expect there are lots of hindrances and obstacles set in place to stop you from being all that you have been called you to be. They are enemies to our shining and our purpose. Nobody ever made a difference without overcoming these obstacles. We must resist them actively and intentionally in other to live a purposeful life.
1.Fear
Fear is a weapon the enemy uses to cripple us, fear literally shuts you down. In this day and age, there are a lot of evil and crazy things going on around us and if we are not careful and on the watch, fear creeps in and becomes a stronghold. Fear is an emotion so it is quite normal to feel afraid sometimes but staying afraid and letting it stop you is the issue. Courage they say is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
After the death of Moses, Joshua was chosen to lead the people of Israel to the promise land. He probably felt unqualified, unready and afraid to lead the Israelite’s. I mean who would want to lead the Israelite’s they were hard-hearted and rebellious people and having been under Moses he knew the struggles but here is what God told him and is telling you today.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go – Joshua 1:9
Truth is God cannot work in fear, he works in faith. I am discovering that to be all he has called me to be, stepping out in faith is a necessity. I know there are so many uncertainties in life and we tend to be afraid of the unknown. We ask ourselves questions like what is going to happen if I take this step? What would people say? But know this whatever he has called you to do, he has already made provision for and if you don’t step out you would never know what could have been. What people say or think does not matter only what God says and thinks does. People are going to talk anyway, they talked about Jesus so they will talk about you.
1 Timothy 2:7 (NKJV)God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.1 Timothy 2:7 (MSG)God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold, loving and sensible.
He replaced fear with, POWER; enabling us to do what he called us to do. LOVE; being secure in his love casts out every fear and SOUND MIND; to help us prove his good and perfect will. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something and you were afraid but you didn’t have a choice so you did it anyway and it turned out great? How did you feel afterward? Like why was I scared in the first place right?
Fear is an illusion
F-false
E-evidence
A-appearing
R-real
Stepping out in faith is not a one-time thing, it is continuous. The enemy is continuously attacking our mind and faith is our way to fight back. You will always feel fear when you are stepping out of your comfort zone. Don’t let it stop you from pursuing your purpose. Remember, If it doesn’t challenge you, then it doesn’t change you. So don’t be afraid to face those challenges there is growth at the end.
2.Procrastination
To procrastinate is to put off intentionally and habitually something that should be done. I have discovered that it is a cycle that doesn’t end unless you put an end to it. You have a task to complete -> you procrastinate -> feel bad about not getting it done -> postpone it to the next day and the cycle continues. Why do we procrastinate? Here are some reasons:
Lack of motivation
Fear of the unknown
Easily distracted
Laziness
Unclear about how to get started
Perfectionism
Whatever the reason may be, there is always an answer and you are the only one who can put an end to it. Lately, in my life, I am learning to live intentionally in both words and action because in other for me to shine there are things that need to be done and I have a vital part to play. His word says
Well, now is the right time to listen,the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late. – 2 Corinthians 6:2
Procrastination steals from us and makes his work in our lives ineffective. I sure don’t want God’s work in my life to be ineffective and I know you don’t want that too. Stop procrastinating starting up those God-inspired Ideas; could be a business, blog, education, writing that book whatever the case may be. Prioritize and make a move.
3. An unhealthy self-esteem
Self-esteem is a confidence and satisfaction in oneself. What do you think of you? Are you confident and satisfied in yourself or are you insecure and dissatisfied in yourself? Your insecurities might be your weight, how you look, sound, your background, whatever the case may be. I want you to know today that you are a big deal. You are all that. You are important.
As we go through life we face difficult situations some of which make us think less of ourselves but in order for you to shine and to be all God has called you to be you need to see yourself the way He sees you. It says in His word that:
You are His chosen treasure-priest who are kings, a spiritual nation set apart as his devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience His marvelous light, and now He claims you you as His very own. He did this so that you would broadcast His glorious wonders throughout the world.(shining) 1 Peter 2:9 – Passion Translation.
It really excites me to know that I am chosen by God. Low self-esteem will sometimes cause you to think that Good things can happen for others but not for you for whatever the reason may be. In order to shine, you must have a healthy self-esteem. Good things can happen and will happen for you. Unhealthy self-esteem would also make you live in comparison with others. This could be dangerous because it makes you unhappy and kills your uniqueness. Learn to love and embrace your uniqueness. It sets you apart from everyone else.Â
Finally
Fear, procrastination and unhealthy self-esteem can truly stop you from shining and living a life of purpose. I’ve been afraid and have procrastinated starting this blog and going after my dreams. This caused me to feel stuck, But now I’m stepping out of stuck and learning how to live purposefully. I know there are situations in your life, that require you to step out in faith. You’ve been living in fear and procrastination for too long and allowing circumstances to determine your actions and future. DO IT AFRAID. Your purpose requires your participation. Step out and watch God step in.
Shine out now.
Comments