Too often, I am dull … not in personality … not in appearance. I am dull in spirit.
When self doubt ties my tongue, I am dull. When perfectionism weights my joy, I am dull. When anger veils kindness, I am dull. When fear prevents me from trying, I am dull.
Dull may be part of my natural bent, but it is not a part of my calling. As a follower of Christ, I am required to be a light. I am called to shine.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
The Christmas season brings with it many opportunities to shine radiant with the Good News flowing fresh in my heart. This time of year can also bring distractions that make it far too easy to hide my light. Sometimes … and shamefully so, the one who falls in the center of my thoughts during the holidays is … me. My mind’s camera lens zooms in on my feelings … my desires … my needs (real or perceived) … and suddenly, I am dull.
Do you ever feel as if the light you are to shine burns dull? What burns you out? What reignites you?
This Christmas and all throughout the year, I want to toss away that basket that dulls my light … and I want to shine … to gleam bright and bold for the glory of my King.
Leave a Comment
Bobbie says
love it. thanks for the reminder
Beth Williams says
I have been really dull this season, in fact for some time now. Work has zapped the happy out of me. I dread it so & think too much on it.
Perhaps with some time away from work & time with Him I will get some happy back!
Thanks for reminder & God bless!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
Love this post. I go through seasons of shining and then letting my light burn out hard. I love how you said dull might be part of our personalities but not part of our callings. This hit home for me. Thank you!
Janell Rardon says
Oh, love this. Thank you. I tend to wear the RESPONSIBLE-FOR-EVERYONE-IN-THE-WORLD button, so I wear MYSELF out. I’ve gone back to some “maintenance” counseling, esp. to prepare for the holidays with family. Just Saturday, I went to lunch and shopping with my Bible Study Girls and every two seconds someone had their hand out for money. One older woman, who I mistakenly looked in the eye, carrying wilted roses, asked, “Can you give me $1?” It took every ounce of my being to smile and say, “I’m sorry, mam.” Now, I could have given her a dollar, yes, but something told me to resist. The internal cacophony of voices that ensued were fierce. The bottom line: we can’t help everybody. God will tell us who and where and when. So, the next day, I saw a banner flying over a beautiful historic church, “Taize Prayer Service” at 6:30 pm. Having read a little about such a service, I exclaimed, “I’m there.” So, all by myself, I went. Talk about restoration. WOW! In the midst of a very busy, draining, burn out season, I sat in a hallowed church, lit by candlelight, and listened to the ethereal voices of a cantor and two vocalists lead us in rhythmic cadences and chants. It was as if I took a very deep spiritual breath. I left feeling completely renewed. Today, I’m on the lookout for more little respites just like that one. It was God’s Christmas gift to me!
Bobbie Edwards says
Beautiful – how often we forget our ‘spirtual face’ to those we meet – what it reflects. This Christmas I am truly shining from within and without – due to too many things to mention here – but most of all, after 75 years, I was personally introduced to Jesus, seeing Him in His human form and it was nothing short of a miracle. My attitude has changed, my focus and thoughts have changed, and as I write this morning with tears of joy welling up, I feel His Love and His Presence – and I see Him smile.
Thank God it is never too late! Although I have been a Christian since I was eleven years old, there was no deep relationship with Christ. This is going to be the best Christmas ever! Happy Birthday, Jesus – my Savior and Lord………
Sarah says
What a great way to look at it! I often find myself simply clicking my light off…He clicks it on…I turn it off…
I guess sometime I just feel like hiding in the darkness. I get burned out if I am home with the kids too many days in a row without a timeout. I get burned out when I look around the house and see clutter everywhere. It’s so easy to get burned out. But it’s just as easy to turn to Him to get reignited…but I often don’t out of selfishness.
Beautiful words, Angela!
Kathy Scott says
Yes, I can be a dull person, no shining, just whining and self-occupied. This is not what the Lord intended. I am encouraged from this message to let my light shine by looking at Jesus and seeking His wisdom and grace in all areas of my life. How can we be dull and self absorbed with such a Person as Jesus within my spirit? Thank you for this wonderful encouraging message.
Donna Olander says
Thanks so much for your timely words. I’m participating in a Women’s Christmas event at church this week & our theme happens to be “Light”. Christ as light & the light in us… & how that’s relative to so many Christmas themes, songs, decor & most importantly the meaning. I’m going to share your post to tie in to the concept. So sweetly written. Thank you.
Stephanie Spencer says
I love your choice of words- after all, who wants to be DULL? Shining is so much more interesting and beautiful.
Jeannine says
I am most aware of my “dullness,” as you so accurately put it, when I am in front of my family. It is with those I love most that I forget to shine, and wind up being curt and annoyed. My littlest child sometimes asks me for a “smile-face,” and when he first started doing that, I thought, “How sad that he needs to ask me to smile!” I now try to give him, and all my kids, a “smile-face” more often, and without being asked. Also, I wrote myself a little list…it’s a little list of the stuff I’m best at, and I try to get as much of that into life as I can, between the dishes and dusting, cooking and homework, laundry and driving. And then I feel okay saying no to everything else. To read with my kids, to craft with them, to exercise with them, it all gives me energy…and helps me shine my light.
Thank you for giving me something to think about today!
coleen Jordain says
I seem to become very “dull” this time of year. Depression starts, then with working two jobs (one retail parttime) there is no time for anything much less “shining” . Hoping after the holiday things will be brighter!
Julie Sunne says
Oh yes, Angela, my light dulls often and regularly. Thanks for the great reminder to relight if needed. Merry Christmas.
Kathy Sykes says
Yes, I feel dull sometimes and it is very evident to me and others when I get in this slump. Christmas really brightens my spirit and I become more alive and eager to share. It is steady growth to continue to have this feeling throughout the rest of the year and that comes with maturity!
Michelle Blanchard says
My own intense dullness burns me out. I over analyze everything and fail to see the simplicity in so much of God’s ordinary daily gifts to us. Posts like yours and the other women from (in)courage is something that truly revitalizes me. I get swallowed up in my own “chaos” and reading that there are other moms who have the same thoughts as I do and convey them with humor, tenderness, and full of grace is better than a “chick-flick” on a lazy day. Thank you!
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