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On Tuesdays we are thrilled to fling open the doors to all of YOU! We love hearing your dreaming stories…the lessons you’ve learned, the roads you’ve walked, the dreams He’s planted in your hearts! Today we are so excited to welcome Katie Reid to this space…she shares the important reminder that each of us has a light to shine. Thanks for being here today, Katie!
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“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”
Isaiah 60:1
This quote from the award-winning film, Chariots of Fire, stirs something deep within my soul,
“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
-Eric Liddell
This string of words causes me to evaluate my life and ponder how I would fill-in the blanks.
“I believe God made me for a purpose but he also made me ___________. And when I __________ I feel His pleasure.”
What would you say? What would others say about you?
I have a friend who is stunningly beautiful, yet she often masks her beauty because it is intimidating to others. I challenged her to stop hiding and unleash her beauty for God’s fame. She has the potential to blaze brightly for Jesus in the modeling world. When she glows for God others are pointed to the Creator.
I have another friend who is quiet and reserved. Every once in awhile she feels led to offer timely advice. She doesn’t like to confront others—her palms get clammy and her stomach gets upset—but she does it anyway, in a prayerful and loving way. When she speaks God moves hearts to respond to the truth.
When my friends offer their God-given gifts, I see His glory. (<====Tweet this.)
We can be afraid of His glory within us and uncertain of how it will be perceived. John Eldredge addresses this in his book, Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, “The world has been wrong about you. They’ve hated your glory—just as the Evil One hates the glory of God. But we need your gift. Come forth.”
Are you veiling what God has placed within you? Are you afraid you will be misunderstood if you present your valuable gift? Think about the three wise men. They offered their gifts to the King in an act of worship, and we still talk about it to this day. They honored Jesus by willingly giving what was in their hands.
What is in your hands? What has God placed within you?
By now you are probably tired of hearing the song, Let It Go, from the movie Frozen. But my friend, Laurie, made me love it all over again with this observation, “When Elsa climbs the mountain and begins to release all the creativity that had been locked up inside, I instantly thought of you. When you are free to create, beauty is and will be the result. So, Katie, ‘Let it go.’”
Let it go. Use the gifts that God has entrusted to you. Stop concealing them. Release them so that the world will look to the Creator. May they see His creativity and the wonders of His love, and be changed.
There is a glory that God has placed inside of you and when you set it free, it points to Him in a beautiful display.
What if the sun decided to hide behind the clouds because she was embarrassed of the intensity of her rays? What if the autumn leaves refused to change color because they feared being noticed? What if the snowflakes insisted on looking like each other because they felt lonely being different?
When you shine your light, whether it be on a hilltop or on a window sill, you bring God pleasure. (<====Tweet this.) Let’s bring forth our gifts, lay them at His feet, and see how He uses them to radiate in a dark world.
“See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples. but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
Isaiah 60:2
Katie Reid is the Tightly Wound Woman. As a recovering perfectionist she fumbles to receive and extend grace in everyday moments. She delights in her hubby and four children and their life in ministry. Studying God’s Word, writing, speaking, singing/songwriting, photography and cut-to-the-chase conversations are a few of her favorite things. Katie hosts the Tightly Wound Woman Community over on her blog and inspires others to find grace in the unraveling of life as they grow closer to Jesus; the Only One who is truly in control and always perfect. You can also connect with Katie on Twitter and Facebook.
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I’m thinking through how to fill in those blanks. Maybe the first step is having the courage to be honest about how God’s made me.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Sometimes I think those blanks change as we faithfully live our days with Him. Whatever our hands find to do may we offer what is in them for His glory.:)
Hey Katie! It is a joy to see you here friend. Great words. Let’s just shine bright for Christ. Let us not hide behind protected facades but stand full in his wonderful face. Thank you for your truth and encouragement shared here! Much love to you.
Thank you Kelly. It is a joy to see you shining for Him. May we be consumed by His light and not our own. As we reflect Him others are pointed to Jesus.
I love seeing you here, Katie, and this post is so timely for me. I have been in the place you describe many times, hiding under a bushel. Although some of us are naturally more reserved and introverted, we all have gifts God has given us to share with others, whether it be in small circles or a large platform. And sharing brings us joy to because it’s what we were created for! Keep shining brightly, my friend. You inspire me.
Thank you Abby. I love how He has given us all territory in which to shine for His glory—whether big or small. I think sometimes in the smallest space we can shine the brightest as we do life real with those around us. Your voice makes a difference and it is a joy to call you friend.
Thank you Katie, so needed this , I struggle with , I think I know what I should do, but am so afraid that my mistakes will cause someone to stumble. But, you have given me a new perspective on that thinking!
I’m right there with you Patty. Sometimes though I think the Enemy keeps us focused on those “what ifs” and the potential mistakes that we do not move forward due to fear. Just take the next step and let Him hold you in the going forward.:)
Loved it! Shall be pondering for the rest of the day. Satan is always trying to convince me (us) that God did not fearfully and wonderfully make us. Ug!
You have unique and wonderful things to offer. They matter, they make a difference and you do too!
What a beautiful confirmation of this morning’s scripture reading. “Prepare your mind for service…” and “Leave your father’s house and go to the land I will show you…” Wow, thx!
Go forth into what He has for you. Don’t fear the “giants” in the land, but follow Him into what He has promised. Jesus goes with you and will not forsake you or leave you.:)
Katie- Brilliant! Thank you for reminding us that it’s false pride when we think our gifts are all about us. I’m thinking about how to fill in those blanks for His glory. And this is going in my journal: “There is a glory that God has placed inside of you and when you set it free, it points to Him in a beautiful display.” It’s so great to see you here. Great post!
Thank you Karen. Your writing speaks. Keep offering your words because they help us think and grow.
Thank you for sharing His truth in your loving, honest, well-written way! It made me think not only of how to be applying this to myself and boldly living it out (Lord, I need Your strength to do so!), but also to be looking for and encouraging others’ lights.
Thank you Jessica- we all need encouragement and others to help draw out what’s been placed within. 🙂
So great to read your words here today Katie. I am starting the year a little unsure of what God has placed in my hands and a little low of confidence to shine, unsure of how to. Your words have given me hope again that I might have a purpose in 2015! Thank you for being a #RaRaLinkUp sister in Christ 🙂
Dear Sarah- Sometimes I think we can pressure ourselves too much to find that “one thing”. As we follow the One vs. the one I think that He will guide and make things clear in His time. Praying for hope and encouragement as you watch and see.:) Your encouragement of others shines bright.
Loved this post Katie! And even more this comment – I have been striving to find that one thing in my own time and it’s refreshing to hear you say just follow the One! Great word sister
Beautiful post, my friend. You have helped me to do just this! Because of your encouragement in the past, you have helped me realize that what I have to say is important and meaningful. What a blessing you are for helping others to realize their potential. ☺️
Thank you Jennifer. Your words are important. As we share our stories we learn and grow for one another. Thank you for your friendship and encouragement.
Good words Katie. We all need to remember it’s not about us, it’s about Him, Jesus. Keep shining your light. It’s beautiful.
Hi Christy- Thank you. I need that reminder a lot “it’s about Jesus”. It’s easy to forget that we are really like the moon- we get light from the Son not from ourselves. We are but a reflection. 🙂
Katie– This is such a beautiful post and an awesome reminder. I love it! I have often thought of that quote (lol and wishing that I felt that same pleasure running fast!) I find God’s pleasure when I speak to an audience and invite them to come alive in Christ. small tiny audiences, big audiences, all different ages of audiences– it makes me come alive. But I also feel alive cheering people one. I feel God s pleasure when I get to do this. I have learned over the years, slowly to not spend so much time saying YES and doing to many things instead of God’s things He has for me because I want to please.
Jenn- Me too on the running fast:) I’m trying to learn the beauty of the “no”. Keep shining as He leads!
It’s such an honor to have you here!! You and your writing are a gift.
Now I have the Let It Go song in my head…thanks 😉
Thank you Alecia and sorry about that song in your head!:)
“What if the sun decided to hide behind the clouds because she was embarrassed of the intensity of her rays?” I.LOVE.THIS.– Friend, what a beautiful message you have written with such encouragement and challenge! Insecurity can be so paralyzing and these words put such wind in the sails of so many women. Thank you–continue to write and inspire.
Thank you for the inspiration and support friend.:)
Beautiful words. “What if the autumn leaves refused to change color because they feared being noticed?” I adore fall and its beauty, so this is what I will remember when I want to hold back for fear of being noticed. I am stunned that my poem inspired you, yet so glad I shared it.
Thank you for sharing YOUR words Kim.:)
Beautifully written! You captured perfectly what I long for all the time. My current God-Sized Dream is to be a Christian nature writer and while I’m not totally certain what that looks like, I am certain that to the best of my knowledge there are no Christian nature writers out there. My problem is wondering if my words…..the translation of the beauty and wonder in front of me into words….is good enough. I have been complimented on my writing numerous times before. I’ve even had friends tell me that when I write about nature (in the sense of seeing what is in front of me; my words come across differently when I research wildlife and such), they can see what I’m writing about without having actually seen it in person. Why then do I feel so insecure about my writing ability? Oh how I wish I knew so that I could overcome it and write already!
Ashley- Your last name fits perfectly with writing about Christian nature.:) I am intrigued- write on lady! I feel insecure about my writing too. There will always be more talented people out there but let’s just be faithful with what He has entrusted us with. You don’t want to keep a blessing from others because you are stuck in fear. Offer your gift and let Him do with it what He wills.:)
I’m going to have to think more about the fill-in-the-blank sentence. Sometimes, I think I get my pleasure and God’s pleasure mixed up because I don’t listen very well :/.
Anita- Me too. As we daily walk with Him He will show us what to do. Sometimes I think we feel like His will for us is a big mystery, but it might just be a bunch of faithful days lined up over time that wave as a banner for His glory.:)
Wow. I just read this quote this morning from Oswald Chambers: “The thing that enraged our Lord’s enemies was the public manner in which He did things; His miracles were the public manifestation of His power…. It’s no use saying, ‘Oh yes, I live a holy lie, but I don’t say anything about it’…If a thing has its roots in the heart of God, it will want to be public, to get out, it must do things in the external and the open.”
Thank you, Katie, for these encouraging words to bravely step out before the world and testify to what God is doing in my life. I need that push so often. And when I struggle to send my words out into the blogosphere, let me always ask myself, “Does this glorify God?” If so, I need to let it go…out into all the world.
Blessings to you, friend!
Indeed Sabra! I appreciate how you hold fast to the truth…it is a radiant example to many.:)