Don't play small, let your light shine

Wow! What an awesome mission we Christians possess.

Matthew 5:14-16 states: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid."

He goes on to say "men do not light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. "

Matthew tells us to "let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify the Father." What a compliment!

It would be ridiculous and impractical to light a candle and then hide it. Too, we should feel privileged that God wants to set us on a hilltop for all to see. After reading Matthew's quote I was reminded of another excerpt I heard recently that caused to me to examine myself. While the retreat master was talking about "anything being possible with God" and so on, he offered this passage.

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 frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be talented?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your PLAYING SMALL does not serve the world. (Author unknown).

While growing up, I was taught to be "modest" told to not brag on myself.

"Don't be a showoff."

So I took that advice and covered up my talents and gifts, simply hoping someone else would notice and ask me to use them. Looking back I recognize I should have refused to be a victim of such propaganda. One ought to reveal and use his gifts to make the world a better place -- protesting hiding them under a "bushel basket." Pretending you're unable to accomplish that at which you're skilled serves no purpose except frustration.

Often we realize our many gifts and talents yet refrain from using them because that entails responsibility. Yet we must leave our comfort zone of familiarity, and attempt something different because bringing our abilities to fruition creates indescribable fulfillment to us. We truly are frightened to learn how powerful we can be.

It's usually easier to hide in the corner rather than see the brightness of our own light illuminating the way for ourselves and for others. Someone may say to us "Ah, come on, you have no training, little money -- you're only dreaming." Often people are envious of someone else's success. People sometimes feel that praising another and appreciating him, encouraging him to pursue his dreams, somehow diminishes his stature. Realize though, that allowing another candle (person) to shine cannot extinguish the light of another alongside it.

Elevating another's gifts merely makes the world a better place. One should never hide his talents and gifts but instead should march ahead using every skill he's been given -- asking, why not me?

We often refrain from attending college or from learning any new skills and wonder why we won't get off our duffs and try to reach our dreams. If one probes within he might be disappointed at what he sees. He may recognize someone who's more comfortable with the darkness of stagnation, afraid of change, lacking in confidence or afraid to grow. Progress necessitates assuming new accountability as a consequence of that new growth.

Yes, God set us on that hilltop for all to see; but not to glorify us or make us think we're something we're not. God does not want us to hide our light (talents) or keep our faith to ourselves. Rather, we must go forth into the world shining whatever light we've been given and illumine its radiance from the hilltop where we live.

So remember to let your light shine, child of God! Playing small does not serve the world.

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.