No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house (Matthew 5:15).
“If you truly live your life, then it does not in the least matter you’re your present circumstances may be, or what difficulties you may have to struggle against, you will triumph over them all—you will make your demonstration.” —Emmet Fox
The principle being brought out in this saying of Jesus is the principle of cause and effect. Lighting a lamp creates a cause. The effect is that it gives light to all in the house. You can light the same lamp but alter the effect by covering it with a bushel basket. You still have light, but it benefits no one.
We often pray for light then cover it with the bushel basket of inaction. The light that we have received does not shine out into our circumstances so we pray for even more light. Yet until we lift the bushel basket of fear and self doubt and truly live our lives from that level of inspiration we experience while alone reading or quietly envisioning the life we truly desire, we’ll have a heart filled with light and a life filled with darkness.
God, the Creative Life Force, is expansive, balancing and prospering in every way. You are the gate that stands between the invisible power of God and its material expressing. You, the gate, are either opened or closed to the expression of this power. Those areas of your life that are working are examples of you acting as the open gate. Those areas of your life that are not working are examples of you acting as a closed gate.
As Fox points out, it doesn’t matter what the circumstances are. Commit to lifting the bushel basket, opening the gate and let the light that you are shine in your world. Start small. Confront each fear as it arises. Take baby steps if necessary. The size of your step is irrelevant, as long as you are moving. The way will open. The light you know within will shine in your life.