Spotlight Syndrome
While talking over today's Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest devotional with Robert at breakfast, it occurred to me that while it is true that we were not expected to use our abilities to fulfill the purposes of God in and of themselves, we are indeed called to shine. Perhaps the problem comes when we believe that we are to be in the spotlight – meaning by contrast that all others must be shrouded in darkness in order for us to shine. God is an artist, and we are the outworking of his internal and intrinsic beauty. I have long been terrified to shine. I have been accused of trying to hog the spotlight, had my motives questioned, and spent the past 40 years in self-doubt. I want this to be the last year that I worry about whether or not I doubt myself, or listen to the criticisms of others. Someone I love once told me that I will never succeed because I will never do the work it takes to succeed. Because of that, I have lived under a shroud of fear. N...