Let it Shine!

I've probably shared something similar before, however, I have really been thinking about this a lot lately, so wanted to just write out some thoughts.

I spend a lot of time in prayer in the morning.  Really more so just having conversations with God.  My friends know that my bathroom is kind of like my "prayer closet" because that's where I spend time in the morning, alone!!!  I have sticky notes on our mirror and some of my greatest thoughts and prayers come from this small room.

As I was getting ready for work just a few days ago, I clearly heard God say, "You don't need the spotlight, Jenny, because you ARE the spotlight!" 

Ummmm...what?!

Me??
I don't want or need the spotlight.
Why would those be the words I hear clearly?

And when I say I heard the words clearly, it wasn't like an audible voice, more like a resonation deep within me - if that makes any sense?

And then I thought to myself, "Do I?"

I like to write, I like to post on social media, I like to send notes in the mail...
Is that me trying to be in the spotlight?

The answer is no.
I do not like to be in the spotlight.
And that is 100% truth!

But because I have been thinking about this quote, I had to double check myself!
And then put into perspective the words I was hearing being spoken to me.

You don't need the spotlight because you ARE the spotlight!

I AM the spotlight because I have the light of Jesus within me and I have been called to let that light SHINE!

For those who may not know - I love sunflowers!!!

They are bright and cheery and have these brilliant yellow petals that are known as "rays" and truly have a resemblance to the sun!

I did a little research on sunflowers and this is what I found:

• Phototropism (the orientation of a plant in response to light) effects both the leaves and flowers of the young sunflowers.  The small leaves of a young seedling turn toward the sun.  However, as the plant grows, as it matures, the leaves on the shaded side of the plant grow more quickly than the leaves in full sun.  
• Heliotropism (the directional growth of a plant in response to sunlight ) - the flowers following the sun across the sky!  They literally seek out and face the sun.  Facing the sun is mostly observed in young flowerheads and generally stops once the flower starts to bloom.  
• Sunflowers grow best in locations with full sun yet they are also remarkably tough and will grow in any kind of soil as long as it is not waterlogged.  
• A single sunflower can have up to 2,000 seeds!  This amazes me!  That fuzzy center actually holds flowers themselves. 
• More than 60 varieties of sunflowers are found around the world in different shades.  Some varieties also have striped petals and each center may vary in different shades. 

And here is what I am taking away and want to encourage you to think about!

Those who shine from within don't need the spotlight!

Did you catch those facts about sunflowers?!
Facing the sun (being in the spotlight) is mostly observed in young flowerheads.  Once the flower starts to bloom, this need of being in the full sun generally stops.  In fact, it's noted that as the plant matures, the leaves on the shaded side actually grow more quickly than those in the full sun. I love that there are more than 60 varieties of sunflowers around the world and their petals can be found in different shades as well as their center YET it doesn't make one more or less beautiful than another.  And probably one of my most favorite facts is that each single flower can have up to 2,000 seeds!  ONE sunflower has the opportunity within itself to allow thousands of new sunflowers to SHINE!!!

While being in the spotlight may be needed for a time of growth, sunflowers do not need the sun to continue to "shine!"  I just LOVE this!

I took this photo last spring because, among all of the other blooming sunflowers surrounding it, I was drawn to this one.  I loved how the sun was behind it, it hadn't yet bloomed, but you can already tell that it is going to shine!!!  I loved how confident it looks among all the other sunflowers, that it knew its potential, just was doing things its own way!

And I think I'm figuring this out...

Some people just don't need the spotlight.
At all.
They simply shine just by being who they are.
They are the kind of people you gravitate towards.
You feel their warmth.
They somehow make any cloudy day sunny.

Some people need the spotlight because they need the affirmation they receive from being there.  Maybe they will mature and not need to stand in the spotlight for long.
Or...maybe they will.

And some, well some just have the need to be in the spotlight, regardless.

What we need to remember is this - keep shining your light!!!  Keep encouraging the inclusion of everyone to simply be in the field/on the stage, regardless where the light shines!  We have the power within us to plant thousands of seeds for people to eventually step out of the spotlight and shine their own light!!  That is powerful!

The sun helps sunflowers shine bright!
The Son (God) helps each of us shine bright!
We can help others find their light!

Friends, we are so much better together!  Take what spotlight you need, but I want to encourage you to get to the point where it doesn't matter where the light is shining because you have become the spotlight helping others on their way!!!

xox,

Jenny