The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
~ John 1:5, NIV
You are told this, that, and the other aspect of who you are is “unacceptable”, but even when you try to conform to their expectations, something in you won’t let you.
Their darkness has not overcome your light.
You are told that if you are lesbian, gay, or bisexual, your only choices remain celibacy or a relationship with the opposite sex. You may try for a while, but something in you insists that is neither loving nor fair of them to demand that of you.
Their darkness has not overcome your light.
Your gender does not match the gender you were assigned at birth. At their insistence, you try to conform to your assigned gender, to wear the clothing they say your gender “must” wear, and use the restroom they say your gender must use. But something inside of you keeps pushing you to live the truth of who you really are, no matter how they might turn up their noses or discriminate or protest.
Their darkness has not overcome your light.
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
~ Luke 8:16, NIV
Let your light shine.
Inspired by the scripture lesson during 2013 Christmas Eve services and a comment a friend made about how my light shines.