#EIGHT
“I hate you. I hate you.” were common words I yelled at my sister when we were growing up. There were different reasons why my sister and I didn’t get along as kids, but one of the reasons was her light. She was pretty. She was smart. And as the older sister, she had nice things. The truth is, I wanted to be just like her. But there was something about the brightness of her light that made my light feel dull, boring, and insignificant. So, instead of saying, “Your hair looks really nice. Can you help me with mine?”. I would say, “I hate you. I hate you.” It wasn’t just my sister’s light. I felt insignificant next to anyone who had a bright light.
If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that the brightness of your sister’s light doesn’t diminish the brightness of your own. I would tell her not to feel threatened by someone who has a bright light, but to see them as someone who can help strengthen hers. God called us all to let our light shine, and often we reduce the lights of others to make our own shine brighter. Or, we hide our light because it isn’t as bright as someone else’s. Lastly, I would tell her that the real power comes when her bright light connects with someone else’s brighter light and makes the brightest light.
Truth #8
Let your LIGHT SHINE
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV)
Karris