Our Deepest Fear

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 is 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 are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

by Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandela

There are two pieces of literature that highly encourage me outside of the Bible, the Practice of the presence of God by Brother Lawrence and this simple paragraph. How true, and how adultish we are, when we allow fear to control us. I think it's about what you get used to. Once used to living in fear and shrinking, it is hard to imagine anything else. But once you get used to the light, it is hard to imagine anything else. Lord, help us to approach the light boldly.