Hi everyone, I hope you had a good week and thank you to everyone who sent me their God wink moments. If you missed it, please see link here.
Recently, we were at a family function and Princess T, who is now taller than the rest of us, instinctively bent and leaned to make the picture appear more balanced.
My aunt said something that made me pause, she said, “Stand up straight, you are not the reason they are all short.”
We laughed but the words stayed with me long after and I thought to share today.
How often do we do exactly what she did? I would say daily.
- Do not shrink yourself to make others comfortable
I know many of us have experienced times in our lives where we felt, to make others more comfortable, we had to shrink who we were, our dreams, aspirations, or even intelligence in order not to offend others or make them uncomfortable.
But you were made to stand out and shine.
You are the light of the world… Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. — Matthew 5:14–16
- We are called to be different
Many times we are uncomfortable with being different so we try hard to blend in. We are actually called to be different. He said though you live in this world, you are not of this world.
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.”
— Daniel 1 v 8
Daniel and his friends understood the risk of saying no to the food, culture, and ways of Babylon but stood their ground. This is the example we should live by.
There might be an easier and quicker way to obtain what we desire, we should insist on the righteous path even if it means standing alone.
- Don’t apologise for the gift God has given you
It can sometimes be challenging to be a light in this dark world and sometimes we choose to ‘bury the talent’ rather than multiply it, after all no one needs to know you are gifted.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”
— 1 Peter 4:10
The purpose of our gift is to bring glory to the name of the Lord as we bless others.
- Your light doesn’t diminish someone else’s
When Jesus’ ministry began to grow, John’s disciples became concerned but John said, “He must become greater and I must become less.”
The purpose of others is not threatened by your success even if they feel jealous, small, or uncomfortable. We are all designed to be a part of one body of Christ, lift each other up, and be a light.
So if someone feels small because you are shining, that is not your fault and you can only pray that God gives them light and grace.
- Stop bending to fit where God has called you to stand
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
— Esther 4:14
Famous Queen Esther could have hidden her identity to preserve her comfort, after all she was safe, but she stood up for what she believed to be true and rose to her assignment.
Don’t silence your voice because of fear. Speak up for what you believe to be true.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I hope my reflections have blessed you and challenged you to examine your own heart and life as to where you might be shrinking for others. Please leave a comment, a story, and kindly share with others. I leave you with the peace of God!
