Shine On

The Lord is my light and my protection. I can see the path ahead, so I am remaining calm and confident. The Lord is my strength and my peace. I can feel His presence, so I am remaining bold and fearless. Psalm 27:1 (Personalized)

Have you ever tried to look for something or navigate your way in the dark? I recall walking into a door as a child trying to enter my late great aunt’s room in the middle of the night. Had there been light, then I could have seen and known that I would have to open the door. I also recall countless times looking for items in the dark when then, Voila!  With light, it was right there within my grasp.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton,

I recall one day looking into the mirror and asking myself, “When did I start to believe the lie that I was not good enough?” Although there are many reasons we can give as to why we can’t fulfill our purpose in this world, we have more than enough reasons to still pursue it at all costs. We can be the candle – we can choose which light we cast, and we can be the mirror – reflect the source.

I’m so glad that the Lord is my light and with Him I can see the path ahead. We can let our light shine (Matthew 5:16) and we can reflect God’s goodness (2 Corinthians 4:6).

I love the poem by Marianne Williamson, Our Deepest Fear. Fear keeps us from letting our light shine. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, sometimes even fear of success keeps us from shining. Paul reminded Timothy, as well as us, to take up our space in this world, because God did not give us this spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Our Deepest Fear — Marianne Williamson

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 and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you

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.

When you look in the mirror, reaffirm God’s goodness and light in Your life. Ask Him to help you to find your space and how to occupy it. May we always strive to be like the first two servants in the parable of the talents. (Matthew 25:16,17)

Today, November 30, marks another Independence Day for Barbados. The late Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow made his mark in history and since then his light shines on. Jesus made His mark on Calvary’s cross and since then His light shines on. We are called to make our mark and to shine on.

• “I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun – not because I can see it, but because by it I can see everything else.” - C. S. Lewis
  

• “Keep your face always toward the sunshine ~ and shadows will fall behind you” - Walt Whitman.
  

God began by making one man, and from him He made all the different people who live everywhere in the world. He decided exactly when and where they would live. “God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But He is not far from any of us." Acts 17:26,27 ERV

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending the Light of the world to us. Help us to keep our face towards the Son. Thank You for blessing my island home, Barbados. As we celebrate, may we be reminded of the true independence we received at Calvary. Thank You for Your sacrifice.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Lord bless you and protect you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace. Numbers 6:25, 26, CEB

• What kind of mirror image do you have of yourself? – The Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow

Happy Independence Day Barbados!

Be blessed to be a blessing.

K.I.M (Kingdom Inspired Messages)

Author of K.I.M