Who are you not to be?

“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.” ~Marianne Williamson

Why are we so often tempted to play small?

Fear of rejection? Fear of failure? Fear of being brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Fear of appearing too confident?

Who is our smallness serving?

I’ve spent the majority of my life perhaps seemingly unapproachable...or not openly approaching others. The whole time I'm likely appearing self-centered to the rest of the world...I'm really feeling insecure. But then I had to ask...what are these insecurities centered around...to which the glaring reality surfaced...they are in fact centered around...me.

When you work with teens, this playing small is not serving. I must put my own insecurities aside and let my light shine...in order to give them permission to do the same.

I started attending an inner-city church plant and experienced this firsthand as people boldly broke out of their molds, crossed the room, and welcomed me. During services yesterday we visited the book of Hebrews...”Let us boldly approach the throne of grace...”

...unconsciously giving others permission to do the same.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?