God loves and creates each one of us as a unique being with different gifts and challenges.
One of my favorite poets, Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926), put it this way:
One of my favorite poets, Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926), put it this way:
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand. [1]
I think this poem beautifully expresses God’s desire for us to live into the fullness of our humanity and our identity.
If we stay small and “hide our light” under a bushel basket, there is almost no place for God to move in, through, and with us for the sake of the world!
Sometimes we have a false idea of modesty and humility--they do not mean that we should bury ourselves.
Instead we should take up the challenge of our gifts and develop them to the fullest extent that we can. Especially if we remind ourselves and others that the gifts are from God we will actually be glorifying Him--not ourselves.
He gave us our gifts to see them shine and help improve the world.
Our gifts are a continuation of the INCARNATION in daily life.
They enable us to be part of God's plan for the salvation of everyone.
That is a huge order
--so drop the false humility and put yourself and your talents out there.
Risk laughter and ridicule rather than hide what God has given to you.
If we stay small and “hide our light” under a bushel basket, there is almost no place for God to move in, through, and with us for the sake of the world!
Instead we should take up the challenge of our gifts and develop them to the fullest extent that we can. Especially if we remind ourselves and others that the gifts are from God we will actually be glorifying Him--not ourselves.
He gave us our gifts to see them shine and help improve the world.
Our gifts are a continuation of the INCARNATION in daily life.
They enable us to be part of God's plan for the salvation of everyone.
That is a huge order
--so drop the false humility and put yourself and your talents out there.
Risk laughter and ridicule rather than hide what God has given to you.
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