Don’t Play Small

Many years ago, my friend Peggy Donaldson sent me some stories from her life that informed her theology. As I look back over them, indeed I find that they are treasures! I’d like to share one with you today.

Once when she and her husband Bob were on vacation in Jamaica, they were looking for a taxi to share with four other friends. The biggest car they could find was an old Buick Skylark. They questioned the driver about whether they could all fit, and he responded, “Oh sure, Mon. Just small yourself!”

Peggy used that one time in a minute for mission in church saying, “It is easy to ‘small ourselves’ when we don’t want to reach out to the world.”

Nelson Mandela would agree. In his inauguration speech as president of South Africa he said to the country (and to the world):

“You are a child of God. You’re playing small does not serve the world… We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

There may be times when you need to ‘small yourself’ to make room for others. But whatever you do, when it comes to reaching out to make a difference, please do not play small.

Let us pray: Light of the Word, thank you for filling us with your blessing, your grace, your love. We know there is a tremendous need in the world around us. Give us the courage and the strength we need to allow your light to shine through us. As we have been blessed, so may we be a blessing. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.