Turn the light ON!!

There are many different ways that God speaks to me and gives me ideas, inspiration and direction. I am sure the same is with you. I hear him in the shower, he shows me things in dreams, and he speaks many times through music. And it is so bold that there is NO DOUBT that it is Him!

Early this morning was no different for me. When you wake from a dream and you say "Woah!" my immediate heart's cry was "Show me what you want me to take away from this." In the next few hours He indeed did.

In the dream I was in this arena kind of place, a large venue and all sorts of people. For some reason we were offered to come check some new make up products out. I went up towards the front and I was the only one but it was like the whole place was watching. The lipstick and liner was not a color that I would normally choose but I put it on anyway and was trying to look in a mirror. Now the venue was a dimly lit ~ and I heard someone walk towards me saying ~ turn on the light so you can see it better. I didn't because I think I really didn't want to turn attention to myself so I didn't. Next thing I knew t here was a video camera (like the kind they use professionally) and the man come close to me. The words I heard was "Turn the  light on silly!"

When I first woke up the thought occurred that at first the man in the dream was talking about turning on God's light to see his path for me.

You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Sam 22:29 NIV

As I was fixing hubby's lunch God clarified something for me. He was instructing me to let MY light shine! When I was told "turn on the light" it was a phrase of encouragement to stop being AFRAID of the attention I may bring to myself by being who I am. God tells  me "Girl... I have worked HARD in you this summer! I have undone a lot of damage done by the world and yourself." God led me to a verse that I found interesting because he doesn't see darkness/light as we do ~ and it is for this that I KNOW he was not telling me that I was living in darkness by the choices I have made lately. I am ever thankful for that Godly confidence! 

Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You  Psalm 139:12

For the first time in my life ~ I feel like a butterfly. I truly have been incubating in cocoon for so long, hiding gifts and talents from those he had put in my path ~ out of fear of rejection, abuse, hurt, and shame. 

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-15 NIV

I sadly have lit that light and then very quickly put the bowl over it to hide it ~ to not become a spectacle. For four years I have heard day after day "Do not bring attention to yourself. You are nothing" yet ... that doesn't go with what God says. God says I AM something! He created me for a purpose and a plan that is greater than anything I can comprehend. 

Since I was clearly given that kick in the hiney to stop letting my light be hidden or dulled, that is clearly what I shall do. I will SHINE like never before.