Don’t Hide, But Shine Your Light (Talents)

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; nor does it give light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

My kids called me last night and told me that, the light bulb in our corridor is broken and not lighting. Immediately, the thought of being a light in the world came into mind. The corridor has a light bulb, but it is of no use if it is not serving the purpose for which it is there for.

I then went and replaced it with a newer bulb. This brought back the joy and smile on the children’s faces. They can now run and play in the corridor simply because; it has the light working or shinning again. Now, what is the lesson to this? Each and every one of us is created to maximize our potential in every corner we find ourselves. We are supposed to be the light, shinning in the darkest part of life especially when we show up. Light is very important and serves as source of energy to all living organisms (human being, plant and animals).

We all need light to help us move in the direction of our lives. Without light, we wouldn’t be able to see or have vision for where we want to go in life or do. Without the use of light, our eyes can’t receive the necessary vision our brain needs to receive in order to transmit right information to our body. Life can’t exist in darkness and this is why we are called to shine in the little corner we find ourselves. Nothing makes sense in darkness.

The world is full of darkness. There have been many bad and evil things happening to people. Many plane crushes, death, accidents, natural disasters, and many other misfortunes such as missing planes. All these have caused a lot of pain, heartaches, loss of hope and confusion.

Many lives are in danger simply because, majority of us who have the light, are afraid to shine in our corners. This is why we are not making influence or impact in the world we live in. The only way we can make positive impact in this world is by shinning our light in the corners we find ourselves. What is the importance of a dead light bulb in the house?

The value of a light bulb is not in its shape but in its shinning. When you fail to shine in your corner, you become useless, and get replaced by men. Many people are like dead light bulbs waiting to be replaced by the master. What will the future be like if you are replaced by God when you are found not living to the expectation to give light to the lost and darkened world?

Too many lights can affect the vision of the eyes. This means that, when we gather as Christians in a place, we are more likely to have issues and challenges with each other because we are shining over each other. This creates jealousy, envy, pride, and unhealthy competition among us as believers. Jesus Christ did not call us to shine in the church rather to shine in the world; where our value and importance can be seen, felt and appreciated. This is how God is glorified.

Shinning in our little corner brings glory to God regardless of our shapes and sizes. As “the light of the world.” The only way others can see the difference between us and them is when we allow our light to shine in our corners. Your attitude, character and behaviours are the lights the world wants to see. They are in total darkness and need the light to give them direction as to how and what to do to live to glorify God.

In most cases, our ability to use our talents and gifts to impact positively on the world is another way of shining our lights on them. We are to step up and shine in the market places with our talents and gifts. This provides the world around you with the vision as to how they can also use their talents and gifts to please God. The world is looking and searching for the light and that light is in you. You have Jesus Christ in you. You must shine it on the world by living and interacting with them in a way that, they can actually see the differences between you and them.

Growing up as a child, we learnt a song which I do sing sometimes. The song says: “This little light of mine, I will let it shine”. There is more to this song than we think. Anything that brings glory to God is the light and we must not allow negative people to shut or quench that light in us from shining on others.

Your talents, gifts and skills are lights that must be used to bring glory to God in every corner you find yourself. You may be good at singing, writing, typing, painting, speaking, repairing or baking. Whatever you are good at, please, begin to create an opportunity to use them to help others.

Nothing you have is useless in the hand of God. Your gift or talent is not useless. It is needed in the corner you are. Remember, God is the source of your life and whatever He has blessed you with, he expects you to use it to bless the world. By so doing, the world can appreciate and worship him.

You are only necessary when you are useful. If you are not shining, there is no way the world will keep you. Rather, you will be removed and replaced. Wherever you are, your gift and talents are equally important. Just as the size of a light bulb does not matter but the light it shines, where you are should not matter or be an issue to you as long as you can shine over there. Your life has a purpose and a reason. You are supposed to or expected to shine wherever you go in this world with your talent, gifts and faith.

The value of a light is in the darkness. You are the light in the world to make a difference, to leave a positive mark, influence those around you so they too can flourish through the light you shine on them. You don’t want to have wasted life like the dead light bulb in my corridor.

Remember that, you are unique with a unique assignment in this world. It is very crucial you know this and learn to stay in your little corner and shine your light on those who need you most. There is no point struggling to shine in places that have so many lights.

The good thing about you shinning in your little corner is that, it gives you the freedom and the space to shine your talents, gifts and demonstrate your skills to inspire others. You don’t need every place to shine but a place. Find that place and shine in your corner.

Your ability to know that you are the light in this world will motivate and inspire you to do everything possible to shine in the lost world. A dead light bulb has no meaning or becomes usefulness to anyone. This therefore makes it necessary for you to shine in your little corner to bring joy, happiness and gladness to the people around you.

Discovering and shining your lights (Talents and gifts), gives you the joy and fulfilment in life. Not only does it gives you joy but gives you the sense of adding value to the world as a whole. I remember when I visited Ghana recently during my missionary work; I discovered that, the whole community gets very upset and angry whenever the light goes off in the areas.

This is called “DUMSOR” in Ghana. DUM– means off, and SOR means on. Nobody likes it but as soon as the light comes on, wow, it brings some unexplainable feelings and happiness in the faces of the people. What does that tells you?

The world is waiting to see you shine on them to bring happiness and joy in their lives by using your talents and gifts to add value to them. This is your moment to shine as a light to the world from your little corner.

Everybody likes light but not darkness. So, I will encourage you to look for the opportunity to allow your light to shine on others so that, they can see the beautiful life in you and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

In Luke 8:16, we learnt that, “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light”. The talent and gift you have can’t be hidden but must be used to bring glory and praise to God who has given you the life to live.

If no one lights a candle and hides it under the bed during DUMSOR, then why do you want to hide your light (talents, gifts and faith) because of what others will or may say about you. The light does not give a huff to the darkness no matter how thick it gets, it still remains calm and shines through the darkness. Regardless of what others may say or will say about you in this life, don’t give a cough at them. Remain calm and shine through.

It will be very sad or bad to hide your talent because of negative people. Negative people are like the darkness around you. The only way you can overcome them is by shinning your light in their faces. Using your talents in the midst of challenges and troubles makes God very happy.

So, don’t give up on your talents, gifts or faith because, a selfish leader says you shouldn’t shine. Get out from any environment that does not help you to shine but to dim your faith.

It would be a great disappointment to God if you hide your talent of writing books, singing, painting, drawing, cooking, running, boxing etc… because of a selfish leader who is only interested in himself and his children gifts. No matter what others do to you, please don’t allow them to quench the light in you rather, step out and shine the light in your corner to those who will appreciate and value it.

You are responsible for making yourself shine. Begin to look for the effective ways to shine and brighten the corner where you are!!

Ferdinard Lawson graduated from Sussex University and holds a BSc Degree in Public Health and Social Care. He is the Founder & C.E.O of Ferdinard Lawson Empowerment & Inspirational Agency C.I.C (FLEiA.CIC) in UK, Public Health Professional, Author, Lifestyle Coach, Transformational & Public Speaker and Publication Consultant. He is a Multiple Awards Winning Author, Public Speaker and a Lifestyle Coach. He has published many inspirational, motivational books, and leadership books and full member of the Royal society for Public Health. England. He is currently the Co-Chairman of Minority Ethinicty Group For All (Kingston Hospital Trust).