Let Your Light Shine

I watched a movie a while back called Akeelah and the Bee.  It was a good movie and taught some valuable lessons.  There is a quote from the movie that I would like to share. It is Akeelah reading a quote hanging on the wall written by Marianne Williamson:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." 
It made such an impression on me that I had to find it on the internet. It speaks to the very core of me.  It made me look inward instead of outward.  Looking inward takes a lot more courage than you imagine. It is much easier to look outward to try to find reason in what we face on a daily basis.  But it is on the inside that we find the true answer; in our heart. 
God formed us in our mother's womb.  It doesn't matter who you are or what you believe, God still knows you. He knew your name, what you life would be like, the trials you would face and how long you would live on this earth.  He knew it before you were conceived.  
Psalm 139:13-14 says: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And my soul knows very well."
God knows you. God also knows what and who we need in our lives.  He knows what will challenge me to become a better me; more brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous than I could ever be on my own.  Thank God I am not on my own.  If we allow Him to do so, He will manifest His glory through each one of us.  As we shine, others will see and they will want it too. They will want that shine. They might not know what it is they want, but God knows.  Deep down we all want Him.  We want eternal life with Him.
It is a choice though.  You have to choose God, for He gave us free will to choose Him or not.  God uses us and the abilities He gave us to shine through us. We are wonderfully made.  So let Jesus shine through you today.