Today’s Quote: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16
Today’s Songs: “This Little Light Of Mine” – The Steeles (oh just get down with your bad-self on this one!)
If you’re still reading this then there’s no doubt that God’s changing you.
I hope so badly that you did the dare yesterday and really had a good heart-wrenching outcry to God.
Oh, there’s nothing like that!!
If you did, then congratulations on a newer, more alive you!!
You are so beautiful, and your father/lover/God Jesus has so much in store for you!
As we spend our last day together in phase 2 of this journey, I want to leave you with some encouragement.
It can be hard to live as a cucumber in a world full of pickles.
(I’m sorry to keep using that analogy, but it just fits so well).
Not everyone will feel happy for you.
Some people will think that you just suddenly got really good at looking like a cucumber, and take you for someone who’s just trying to be better than everyone else.
You will feel misunderstood at times, no doubt, but it is most important that you know that nothing anybody says or does to you can add to or take away from the newness and value that God has given you as His daughter.
You are a true princess, the daughter of a King, and you need to carry that in your core as you walk through this world.
You might feel some opposition.
Be yourself anyway!
Be that awesome girl that God is turning you into.
I know it can be hard around the people who know you well. We so easily fall into talking about the same old things and we can feel like we’re not really letting that light shine out of us of what God is doing in our lives.
Just remember all of God’s grace for you, yes even in this area, and know that for some people, especially those of us who are use to acting more like somebody we’re not, becoming more transparent can take some time.
When I was first noticing this battle in my own life and started to really pray about it- God (in a very silly way) gave me 3 helpful ways to live out my faith, and to just be more myself- the girl that He was making me to be.
I hope these little pointers can help you too:
1. Keep Jesus with you.
He is our number one, so don’t be afraid to speak his name or acknowledge him to be who he is in your life. This doesn’t mean that you have to talk about him all the time, but just make it a point to acknowledge him as a relevant part of your life. Don’t be afraid to say that God blessed you in some way or say “Thank you Jesus!” when you’re feeling grateful. Keep him with you.
2. Be the girl that God has made you into!
Put on your new smile, your new attitude, and your new heart. Put them on like you put on a pair of pants and wear them proudly!
3. Give little fragments of your faith and testimony where you feel lead.
I use to worry that it was my God-given responsibility to share my faith and testimony with any unbeliever that I had a conversation with, and the thought of this scared the daylights out of me.
The last thing I wanted to be was overbearing with my faith.
But if I am simply honest and living out my values then there will come many opportunities for me to share whatever piece of my faith or my testimony is relevant for a certain conversation. I don’t need to stress about trying to get it all out there!
Girls, God wants to use us. He wants us to shine as lights in this world.
He has some very specific plans for you, and people that He wants you to be a light to.
So just pray for God to give you discernment and show you clearly those opportune times.
The aim is to be in step with God, not running ahead of Him, and not lagging behind Him.
So many people spend their entire lives juggling personalities just trying to “fit in”.
That was me for such a long time.
Maybe it was you too.
But as sure as God is changing our hearts and our lives, let’s not be that way anymore.
Let’s be more honest and more ourselves.
The girls that God is making us into.
Yes, we are going to face persecution for our faith at times, it comes with the territory. But the world is craving people who are real, genuine and impervious to the emptiness that most people spend their whole lives caught up in.
So let your light SHINE!
“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 doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel small around you.
We were all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just 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.” - Marianne Williamson
Today’s Dare: Today as we close out Phase Two, I dare you to shine a little light into the world.
I want you to do something for someone else, whether it be giving someone a hand with something, or just calling up and encouraging somebody. (And if you are given the opportunity, share a bit about what God has been doing in your life.)
Remember that as God’s daughter, you have the power to speak healing and life. And though it might take a little time for you to feel comfortable and confident in that role, I challenge you to begin stepping into it today.
And remember also that you are covered! You no longer have to worry about people’s reaction or response to you, because that is not where you find your value. You’re a princess. Don’t forget it!
