From Hiding to Shining

Flashback to January 2019.  My life seemed to be going well.  I received a promotion and was the lead senior associate for several engagements.  I had the opportunity to travel for work and for leisure.  I helped organize an event that benefited young adults in the Kingdom of God.  My life seemed together, my body appeared physically fit, but my spirit was in poor shape because I was not utilizing my gifts as God would have me.  God gifted me the ability to express myself through singing, writing, and speaking; but there I was just holding the boxes.  I was holding back.  I was hiding, and something had to change.  My confidence had taken a major blow as a result of constantly feeling inadequate and out of place at my job.  For too long I allowed myself to operate as a fish out of water and started to suffocate.  I cried and prayed often until I heard and acted upon God's direction for me to change scenes. 

In February 2019, I started a new role that afforded me the opportunity to rebuild my spirit.  In the midst of fear and hesitation, I leaned on the Lord to help me access the courage to use my gifts for His benefit and not my own.  I accepted the fact that I am creative, and I decided to truly invest in the gifts God gave me.  Once I committed to being the creator I am, God started opening doors.  He sent a cast of sincere individuals into my life to support me in this season of development including an awesome life coach and a music producer.  1 Corinthians 12:6-7 (NLT) states, “God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.  A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”  God blessed me with the resources to water and nurture the gifts He has planted inside me so that I can add spiritual value to the lives of others. 

I made additional changes to facilitate my process of healing and growth throughout 2019, but those plans did not include cutting off the sisterlocks I had been growing for five years.  No, I did not plan to cut my hair, however, when little critters decided to make my mane a home, I decided it was time to let the locks go.  If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that God will design circumstances in life to redirect me towards a revelation and an even greater outcome.  After chopping my sisterlocks, I realized my hair symbolized hiding.  Someone expressed to me, “with your hair it’s like you were hiding.  Now I can see your face.”  God’s will does not include me suppressing my personality, gifts, or potential.  He does not want you to either.  He wants us to show our faces!  Just like faces, we all have gifts; and those gifts are unique to each of us.  You operating in your gift with humility and love may be the avenue for someone to understand the love of God.  So, “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matt 5:16 NLT). 

Jesus expects his disciples to shine: “You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14 NKJV).  We all have a temperament and talents God wants to use for His glory.  In this next decade and beyond, do not hide the gifts God selected you to possess.  As the parable of the men handed money in Matthew 25:14-30 suggests, we are expected to invest in the gifts our Master gives us and not hide or bury them.  Invest in your gifts and commit to being used by God.  Once we invest, God will provide the increase!  Say this with me: “I will not hide. I choose to shine!”


1 comment


  • Monica

    Wow this was such an on time word! I’m truly blessed by this. Thank you for sharing.


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