Broken Crayons Still ColorShembull

I think deep down we all have the desire to belong and be accepted.

I played flute in high school and was actually pretty talented. I was chosen to be first chair in the flute section of band my freshman year.

I believe I had a gift.

However, at my school, being in the band was not popular. Kids would actually call us names and make fun of us. One of the names they called us was a derogatory term: “Band Fags.”

Basically, I was bullied because I had the gift of music.

I had a gift that I believe God gave me; however, I felt so much pressure and desperately wanted to fit in with my peers that I ended up quitting band after my freshman year. To this day it brings tears to my eyes thinking about the missed opportunities and all I gave up simply because I wanted to belong.

I had so much God-given potential, but I allowed the rejection of others to impact the course of my life.

I hid.

I shrunk back.

It reminds me of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30. The person who had been given one talent said, “I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground” (Matt. 25:25).

I think so many times the same thing happens with us: we are afraid and so we hide.

We might be afraid of rejection. We might fear becoming an outcast. We might fear failure.

I believe each one of us has been given gifts from God.

My theme verse for my business is Matthew 5:14–16, which says,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Why must we let our light shine?

We let our light shine so that everyone will praise our heavenly Father.

It is not about being self-centered or prideful. It is about giving God the glory and the praise He deserves from the gifts He has given us.

Some days we feel we are not enough. Other days we feel like we are too much.

However, I want to encourage each one of you today to be willing to give your gifts to God anew. Find your acceptance in the One who created you. You are loved.

• You are not defined by the opinions of others.
• You are not defined by your past mistakes.
• You are not defined by your successes or failures.

In Christ:

• You are enough.
• You are valuable and loved.
• You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Be willing to step out of the shadows. Even if you still feel rejected. Even if you have made many mistakes. Even if you still doubt God’s love.

You have been hiding long enough.

It is time to let your light shine!