Shine: Stepping Into The Role You Were Made ForНамуна

Allison Allen: Shine, Stepping into the Role You Were Made For Devotional Day 1

Spiritual Stage Fright

Scripture Isaiah 60:1

Too many of us stand in the shadows, peeking through the side curtains of the stage, watching as monumental God-stories unfold somewhere out there under the lights—stories we ache to join, stories that have the potential to spark faith and kindle hope. Stories that, on our most grace-full days, we suspect we were made for.

But something blocks our way. Something worms down into the stuff we are made of and plants a potent lie. It whispers that it’s better to remain safely shadowed than ever dare to shine. It says that it doesn’t really matter if you do, because anyone else will do in a pinch. It murmurs that a truly humble Christian woman would demur, hold the curtain open for someone else. This is the lie that has left so many of us with spiritual stage fright. 

Most of the time the lies enter the scene looking like a pair of unholy twins: fear and shame. I’ve been stunted and silenced by this terrible duo more times than I care to count. They’ve been relentless in telling me that not showing up for the story God has called me to is far safer, far better than to risk entering the stage with Jesus. Safer? I might give the twins that. Risking with Jesus is not necessarily safe; in fact, it can often be downright terrifying. But better? Not on your life. Because nothing is better for us or for the people we love than stepping into the great Drama to which God has invited us. Nothing is better than going where he goes. Risking as he risks. Taking the stage when he says, “This is it, kid. See that light pooling out there? Go find it. For this moment and this time, the stage is yours.” 

No one else’s story is as exciting as the one Jesus is penning for you. Are you ready to shine?

In what areas of your life have you suffered from spiritual stage fright?