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Dear Members & Friends of Holy Apostles,

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

(Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3)

 

This is one of my favorite quotes and it's been showing up a lot in various places for me lately, so I thought I'd share it. Marianne Williamson is not known as a Christian writer and yet I find this quote completely resonant with Kingdom principles and values.

 

There is so much fear in our world and in our lives. It's really everywhere: in the political realm -- "Elect So-and-So or else the country will implode;" in all our advertising -- "Buy this product because if you don't, you won't be pretty, have friends, be loved, or find fulfillment;" and in our personal lives -- "If I don't do this or if I'm not that, then my life will be ruined and I will be a failure."

 

I think we can all agree -- fear is bad. But what about the kind of fear Marianne is talking about: fear of glory, and that is what it really is. Do we fear the power in glory because of the responsibility that comes with it? Do we fear the glory of letting loose with our talents and abilities for fear we'll be accused of showing off? Are we afraid of that glorious impulse to shout from the mountain tops, "I am beloved" because of what people will think?

 

In this season of Epiphany, let's let our light shine. Let's remember that we are children of God and were created to shine as lights in the world. Let's see that light in ourselves and look for it in others. The Collect for this week sums it up perfectly: "Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins (fear), and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever."

 

Can I get an "Amen"?

 

Suzanne