Hello, Lovely
We are made, the scriptures assure us, in the image of God. Nothing can change that original goodness. Whatever mistakes we have made in the past, whatever problems we may have in the present, in every one of us this “uncreated spark in the soul” remains untouched, ever pure, ever perfect.
Even if we try with all our might to douse or hide it, it is always ready to set our personality ablaze with light. - Eknath Easwaran (1910–1999), an Indian born spiritual teacher and author, as well as a translator and interpreter of early Hindu texts.
Why would we be afraid to shine? This quote brought me back to one of my favorites by Marianne Williamson:
“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, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are 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 in 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.”
Genesis 1 tells us that in the beginning, before God made day and night, He said, “Let there be light.”
In John 8:12, Jesus applies the title to himself saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
And also in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus affirms this truth in us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Light.
The very “light” God separated from darkness and declared good was you, friend. Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, He knew you, set you apart, and had a plan for your existence. You are called into His wonderful light to be the light for others.
Coming full circle, it’s no wonder God’s Word proclaims “Let there be light.” Allow it. Do not "try with all your might to douse or hide it," but set your personality ablaze with it.
Our Father is so good. Speaking everything into existence, He demonstrates the power of words to give life, encouragement, and blessings. He knows what we need to flourish and He showers us with life-giving affirmations throughout His Word. Do not let anything that conflicts with Truth take residence in your heart, but rather, embrace only your true identity, as defined by your Maker. The following is a list of verses that speak to who "you are" taken from the New Testement:
You are:
“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5 NLT).
“I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15 NIV).
“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (Romans 5:11 NLT).
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV).
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith” (Galatians 3:26 NIV).
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NIV).
“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5 NIV).
“You are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family” (Ephesians 2:19 NLT).
“Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault” (Colossians 1:22 NLT).
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy” (1 Peter 2:10 NLT).
“You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NIV).
“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NIV).
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5 NIV).
“For we are coworkers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV).
“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God” (1 Peter 2:5 NLT).
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).
“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).
“In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind” (2 Corinthians 6:4 NLT).
“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT).
“Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 6:15 NLT).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25 NLT).
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).
“We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved” (Hebrews 10:39 NLT).
“We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation” (Hebrews 6:9 NLT).
receiving a kingdom that is unshakeable“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe” (Hebrews 12:28 NLT).
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (Hebrews 13:14 NLT).
“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory” (Romans 8:17 NLT).
“Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living” (Romans 6:18 NLT).
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36 NLT).
EMBRACE WHO YOU ARE
You don’t need to be anything else but exactly who you are. The more we humbly embrace these truths, the more we are able to courageously and confidently move forward with our purpose and all that God has called us to be.
FREE PRINTABLE DOWNLOAD!
Click the image above or here and sign in to download!
Further reading suggestions
Dream, pray & share with me on Instagram @lucycelebrates
