Our deepest fear...

"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 brillant, 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." Marianne Williamson

Wow. Right? I want to write that quote on the tablet of my heart and never forget it. Your playing small does not serve the world. So maybe, just maybe, today i will choose to step out of my comfort zone. The comfort zone is safe. But life is not fully lived within our comfort zones. We don't face the dragons of our lives (read below) in the comfort zone. We step out. We trust. Life is fully lived when we step out into the sun and claim our identities. When we truly know who we are--our behaviors will reflect this. When we learn that our identities are in Christ and believe that we are who He says we are---then, only then, will our behaviors reflect this.

Recently in church, the pastor was talking about crime in our city. And how most of those who commit crimes are fatherless. Think about it. They probably didn't grow up receiving any accolades from their parent(s). Maybe noone told them who they were--that they were special--that they were a child of God. It is my opinion that crime is not usually the result of happy, well adjusted upbringings. (Take that for what it's worth.) Our behaviors are born out of who we believe we are. So, today, i choose to believe that i am enough. More than enough. I am a daughter of the King. Claim it.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21.