Be confident in who who were made to be and don’t hide the light you’ve been given!  “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (emphasis given by me)

We were all made as unique human beings and those of us who have made the decision to follow Christ now have the privilege to use what we have been given to bring glory to God.  As someone growing up in middle-class America, I have counted myself as pretty blessed compared to many others in the world.  (Though there are differing opinions as to what “blessed” really is.)  Sometimes I wonder why I was dealt the cards I was vs. the hard situations many people have to go through.  I think God equips us for many different purposes, each different based on the experiences we are given.  But no matter what, I think we are meant to bring God the glory and thanks through what we have been given vs. bringing glory to ourselves.  I always think of the verse, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” – Luke 12:48  So the question I ask everyday is, how can I use every blessing I have been given and give it back to help someone else?  The blessings of knowledge, gentleness, kindness, respect, creativity..  Because if I only bless myself, not only will I be empty, but many others will never experience the love that every human being should.