“He also said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?
Isn’t it to be put on a lamp stand? For nothing is concealed except to be revealed,
and nothing hidden except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, he should listen!'”
A Challenge for the Week Ahead: Show and Tell for Jesus
Do you remember Show and Tell in your kindergarten classroom? I do.
I remember distinctly how we couldn’t wait until it was our turn to bring something special to school.
We’d bring stuffed animals, new basketballs, and trinkets from vacation. Quite often, we’d bring items we’d made with our own hands. Once, I carefully wrapped up a ceramic cat that I had painted so I could take it to school. I still remember the quiet murmurs of appreciation from my classmates when I unwrapped the cat and held up my beautiful treasure.
After a few years, Show and Tell began to disappear — and not just because we graduated from kindergarten. It’s because Show and Tell feels boastful. We think Show and Tell is the opposite of humble — and good Christian boys and girls are always humble.
Consider your own life for a moment. What are you making, doing, creating, or planning today — born out of God’s gifting in you — that you kind of love? What is beautiful in your life?
I’ll bet you know the answers to those questions, but I’ll bet you’d be pretty uncomfortable sharing your answers in front of a group of peers.
Do you know that your gifts are the Kingdom, shining in you? You are like a lamp.
Listen to the words of Jesus:
Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lamp stand?
Some of us want to put our Kingdom Shine under the bed, thinking that’s what humility means.
But that’s not humility; that’s hiding.
Please know this: your light helps others to see. Your light shows other people who Jesus is, and it shows people how to find their way to Him.
Your light comes in so many different forms: in your attitude, your kindness, your humility, and your generous heart. It also shines through the gifts that God has given you. You are free to shine for Jesus. Because of Jesus. Don’t be afraid to let people see God’s work in you.
Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote long ago:
There is no treasure of gifts and graces lodged in any but with design to be communicated.
At heart, I know what Mr. Henry said was true. Yet I was really struggling last week with the concept of “showing and telling.” I had written an encouraging, gospel-centered message on my blog, but was afraid of appearing “self-promotional” when I let my Facebook friends know about it. I shared my concern with my pastor, who later sent me this quote 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. . . . 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.
In the week ahead, resist the urge to hide your light under your bed. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.
How can you let your light shine this week?
Leave a Comment
Bonnie says
So lovely…keep shining for Him! I will use your words and shared wisdom to encourage my loved ones to likewise shine !
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Thank you, Bonnie!
Darlene Jones says
My prayer is that where ever I am and where ever I go I will lift up Jesus so the world can see Jesus In Me!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
That’s a great prayer, Darlene.
Adria says
Thank you. I needed to hear this. I have been writing some short stories. One I wrote yesterday was how God showed himself to me through the sunlight shining off a building and I was concerned about sharing it. I was writing about loneliness and how God is the only one we need. I felt compelled to write it and hopefully share it. I wanted to tell people how God ministered to me that day. I didn’t want it to seem weird or bragging.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
I hope you were prompted to share your words, Adria! Be blessed this day.
Adrienne says
Amazing. I just experienced this on Friday. I wanted to share what I learned in my quiet time on Friday morning with my fellow teachers where I work. I was so afraid of looking like I was bragging or promoting myself. I struggled with this exact concept. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
I think it’s common to so many of us, especially when we know the great value of humility. I hope you were able to let your beautiful light shine brightly this week, Adrienne.
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Last week I let my little light shine. I know a little (very little) sign language. I have singed to music for my church. Last week while visiting my dad at the assisted living the Seniors Center Singers were there to entertain the residents. The director knows that I can do Amazing Grace and they always end with that song (I’ve done it for them before). They asked me to come up and do it for them again. It thrilled the singers and residents alike. Each week I visit my dad I always say hi to the other residents and give them a smile and hug. I know their days can be long.
I don’t want to hide my talents and be found lazy-rather I want to hear “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
Blessings 🙂
Laura Allman says
what a blessing you are to the residents!!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
What a terrific story!
Jessica says
Awesome- thank you for sharing!!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
You’re very welcome, Jessica. Hope you’ve had a great week, letting your light shine!
Rachel says
Girl.
Thank you. Thank you for being obedient to share this.
After purposely putting myself “on the shelf” for a time of rest & healing, I have begun to feel the stirring of the Holy Spirit to share the gifts He has given me. But I am afraid. I’m reading your “Love Idol” book, and it is reaching the depths of my soul that needed fixing.
But this…especially this quote from Marianne Williams…this is what it is!!!
So thank you for “turning the light on”.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
So glad these words encouraged you today. And I LOVE the Marianne Williams quote!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
Your post ties in with one that Holley Gerth wrote about how the enemy doesn’t necessarily attack us where our weaknesses are, no, he goes after the jugular – where our strengths are and seeks to make us feel inadequate in the areas where we really shine or excel.
The same goes for letting our light shine. The enemy loves to tell us that we are being braggarts and pompous if we shine for God. I think the key, at least for me, is letting people know just where my light and giftedness comes from. I want my life to be a giant arrow that not only shines its light, but points right toward the One who makes it possible – God!! Great light-filled post…may every day be show and tell 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Holley is so wise. Such truth in the words you share here.
Jasmine Ryan says
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for shedding light on this verse today! LIGHT is my word of the year, and one of my mantras is this verse. My “hiding” looks very similar to yours: I put words on paper that flow from God through my pen, then I conceal them with a cover of fear…fear of boasting or appearing self-righteous, and fear of being misunderstood by the world. My fears are torn apart by the truth, particularly Galatians 6:14 (for some reason NLT is meeting my heart today): “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” Boom! Both fears nullified by the truth. In awe of Him this morning. Happy Sunday! Shine on.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
What a terrific word! Thanks for sharing, Jasmine. You are such a blessing. I hope you had a great week.
Amanda Snodgrass says
I love the twist of hiding, not because we’re inadequate, but because we’re powerful. What will people think or say? But, when I shine, I give other people permission to shine too.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Amen, sister! Shineth thou on.
Jean Marie Bauhaus says
I’ve been debating and praying about whether I should submit a guest post to another Christian blog I follow. Between this and another post by Alia Joy I read the other day I feel like God’s giving me a green light on this. Thank you.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Hey there, Jean Marie! Did you take the green light? 🙂
Jean Marie Bauhaus says
Not yet, but I’m going to. It’s been one of those weeks where I haven’t even been able to sit down and think about what to write.
Corena Hall says
Amen! Amen! Amen! He is glorified when others see His blessings in my life! Yes indeed!
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
For sure! You truly shine, Corena. xo
Zoe says
Thank you so much for this. I have just got a big promotion and all of my colleagues are unhappy about it. They think I am inadequate. I have been spending my past week to gain back their favor by playing it very small. Lord, help me live for you and shine for your glory, no matter what… Amen
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Hi Zoe,
I am so sorry that people rained on your good news. That’s disappointing. I hope that you were able to shine this week. Don’t hide the treasure that you are!
Rebecca L Jones says
My Pinterest board is loaded with verses and pictures, and a lot of peaceful calming themes. I did it for fun but found it a refreshing way to encourage women, so I started blogging. The Pinterest board lets you connect to 4 blogs. I can’t hide my words anymore, I never wanted to, Jesus never wanted me to. The devil went for the jugular, he went after my heart, but that was a mistake because Jesus was in it! He’s all i have to brag acout and the only reason I can shine! Thank you Jesus! Let you light shine us this Sunday.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Thanks for sharing so beautifully, Rebecca.
Rebecca L Jones says
Let your light shine on us this Sunday!
Annetta says
Amen!
Thank you Jennifer. I have been hiding behind the excuse of a broken modem last week after I declared I’d be brave and let others know about my project. Your writing is such a timely follow up…with modem now fixed, I must not hide.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Hey Annetta! Did you listen to the nudge, to come out of hiding? 🙂 … I hope you had a light-shining week!
Annetta says
I did Jennifer! Just last night. Thank you for following up on me sis. If you are interested click me…I included it so you can see what I got out of hiding.
Theresa says
Wow! So encouraging. I hate bragging about myself and what I am doing, so I tend to downplay what I am doing, even when asked, and then turn the conversation to the other person. I need to quit hiding my talents/light.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
I truly believe when we let our lights shine, we can do so without bragging or being boastful. I hope that you were able to let your light shine brightly this week, Theresa.
Brittany Raschdorf says
Thank you Jennifer!! I think God is doing some big things through the power of words, and your’s are encouraging so many. I’ve been reading The Happiness Dare, as well as many of your blog posts and I appreciate every word you share. THIS post really hits home for me. I have been working on a book for over two years that only a select few knew of, but now it’s in the hands of my publisher and it’s time to “let it shine”. Thank you for the reminder to BE BOLD.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Oh Brittany! Thank you for your kindness. Your words really encouraged me today.
Congratulations on your book!
karen says
I think my light went out. I need help.
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Oh Karen…. I am so sorry. I am just now getting to comments, far later than I had planned. How are you doing? Please know that I’m praying for you today.
Lora Leftwich says
Beautiful…
Jennifer Dukes Lee says
Thank you so much, Laura.