When will I get my turn to shine?

Dear Avon,

Hi! Thanks for sending your question! I feel you, because we are in the same boat! I am also "waiting" for God's promises and plans.

Let's look to Joseph. Ever since he was young, he already knew God had a purpose for him. He saw it in his dream. Yet, he had to be sold to slavery, work as a house manager, get accused of adultery, thrown into prison, and work all those years under the Pharoah to eventually shine in that moment where all his brothers bowed down infront of him.

However, I think at that point, them bowing down before him wasn't at all a consideration. It was seeing his brother and father, and being able to love them and talk to them again that was utmost in his heart. If it was the pride and vainglory that was utmost in his heart, I doubt God would have chosen him in the first place. Else, perhaps all those years of slavery and servitude had formed him already. I think, that's how God does it. He puts you through tests and trials, and with each passing success, your soul is formed the way he wants it. Then, when you are absolutely the way he wants you, like a potter on a wheel, he stops spinning, and cooks you (uh oh) and then if you survive that, he will let you shine.

The point is that every single moment that leads to your "shining moment" is the journey that is life. It would be a shame to miss all the beautiful experiences and people along the way. You have to take each step in joy and gratitude for this day, this lesson, this trial, this person whom you can help, and anything else that God throws at you, take it. Take each test as a test to shine. You shine by loving, being faithful to the Lord and being good. That is how you can be the best you can be.

If you take each moment to shine, to help someone, to give of yourself, then your life will be a path of joy along the way. It may have its pitfalls and hardships, which you can embrace, and then overcome with love. Then all your shining days will add up to a shining life, and when that "glory" or "fame" that you seek is with you, it won't even matter as much, because you had been shining all the days and all the steps on the way.

Success is not a destination, it's a journey of being. Allow your trial lessons to make you shine.

Respectfully,

Maxine

P.S. The future prophecy from Daniel is :

Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

So if you really want to "shine" and not just for one moment, but forever, then lead people to righteousness. That means that all we have to do is follow the conscience in our hearts about what is good and true, and follow the laws of our Yah (God).

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