SEEN, SENT, AND SET APART: SHOWING UP IN YOUR GIFTING WITH CONFIDENCE

There’s a narrative many Christian women have been quietly carrying—one that says, “It’s holier to stay hidden.” Don’t draw attention. Don’t speak too boldly. Don’t take up space.

We’ve called it humility. But often, it’s hesitation—or timidity to step up when you're in a spotlight season.

The truth is, hiding might feel safe, but it doesn’t always reflect obedience.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is show up. Not for applause. Not to impress. But because Heaven entrusted you with something—gifts, influence, a message, a mission—and invites you to steward it well.

God Didn’t Give You Gifts to Tuck Them Away

The Message says it clearly in Romans 12:6:

“Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.”

You were created with purpose and placed in this generation on purpose. The gifts God gave you—your ideas, voice, story, skills—are put there for a reason. They’re tools. Even more importantly, they’re answers to prayers someone else is praying.

And they don’t belong under a basket.

Your Voice Was Designed to Be Heard

Your voice carries purpose—it’s meant to be heard.

1 Peter 4:11 (MSG) says:

“If words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything…”

What if the blog post, book, video, devotional, or conversation you’ve been avoiding is the very thing God intends to use to unlock someone else’s breakthrough?

It’s not about impressing others—it’s about being available and faithful with what you’ve been given. When you speak from obedience, Heaven moves.

Obedience Isn’t Always Quiet

There’s this idea that if something is really from God, it’ll happen behind the scenes. Quiet. Hidden. But throughout Scripture, obedience often required stepping forward, being seen, and saying yes in ways that could not be ignored.

Think about Esther. Deborah. Mary. Lydia. They didn’t seek recognition—but they didn’t retreat either.

“By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, MSG)

When your heart is anchored in Him, showing up becomes an act of trust.

When God Moves You Into a Spotlight Season

There are times when God intentionally moves His people out of hiding and into visibility—to position them for impact and fulfil His plans.

Here are just a few examples:

• Esther, hidden in the palace until it was time to stand before the king and speak up on behalf of her people. (“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14)

• David, anointed in obscurity, tending sheep—then suddenly called to the battlefield to slay a giant in front of the nation.

• Joseph, wrongly imprisoned and overlooked for years—until, in one divine moment, God elevated him to Pharaoh’s right hand and gave him a voice that would save a nation.

• Deborah, already walking in wisdom under the palm tree—but called into the battlefield when others wouldn’t go without her.

• Jesus Himself, who lived mostly unseen for 30 years—until the day came when the heavens opened and God said, “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight.” (Matthew 3:17, MSG)

When God brings you into a season of visibility, it’s intentional and it's strategic. There are moments He calls you forward to carry influence and fulfil a divine assignment.

A spotlight season is a time to carry out your assignment with boldness, clarity, and trust.

You’ve Been Chosen and Commissioned

God commissions those He can trust to carry His message well and positions them impact.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light… God is not a secret to be kept.”(Matthew 5:14, MSG)

When He opens a door for you to influence, it’s an invitation to serve, lead, or speak into the lives of others with intentionality and grace.

And when you show up, you create space for others to encounter Him through you.

You’re Most Effective When You Stop Shrinking

Timidity isn’t a spiritual badge of honour. Shrinking back doesn’t make you more obedient. And false humility? It often delays the very assignments Heaven wants to release through you.

2 Timothy 1:7 (MSG) says:

“God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”

There’s a time to wait—and a time to move. If you’ve been sensing the nudge to step forward, this may be that moment.

So determine to show up from a place peace rather than pressure. And remember, it's not about performance. You're simply partnering with God and trusting Him to show up in power.

A Few Final Thoughts & A Personal Story:

A few years ago, God was prompting me to write a book. I'd written business books before, but this felt different. This felt BIG.

I'd had the 'nudge' before, but this time I knew God was saying "It's time!". I'd love to say I jumped in with a huge sense of enthusiasm, but I didn’t feel at all qualified, anywhere near prepared, or even remotely confident. Instead, I wrestled with self-doubt and delay, wondering if it really mattered or if anyone would even read it. Thankfully though, my perceived lack of ability didn't phase God. He'd faced the same excuses from Moses many years before, and a myriad more since, and I'm guessing He was well used to His children frequently failing to recognise what He’s already placed inside them. Thankfully that prompting didn't go away and God didn't give up with His persistence.

I eventually realised that this was nothing to with whether or not I felt ready or qualified. It was about being willing and about my "Yes". And that my obedience might be the very thing someone else was praying for.

After much second-guessing and a whole lot more hesitation than I want to admit to, I said yes. Did I finally feel ready? No! But I couldn’t ignore the conviction that this wasn’t about me. It was about obedience. About one person who might need the encouragement I had to offer.

That book—Dream Big Blueprint—went on to become an international number one Amazon bestseller. More importantly, it’s now in the hands of the very women all around the world that God intended it for—reminding them of who they are, taking them on a journey of discovering their God-given dreams, and seeing them released to step boldly into all they were created to be.

I take great delight in remembering the astounding faithfulness of God when I read messages from women with testimonies of how their lives have been affected powerfully as a result of reading it.

And I often think—what if I had kept hiding? What if I had allowed myself to stay stuck in the enemy's lies that my voice didn't matter?

Friend, you never know what’s on the other side of your obedience. So if you’ve been feeling that nudge—don’t ignore it. Start. Speak. Share. Move! Sometimes, saying yes to being seen is what makes the miracle possible—for someone else.

You don’t have to strive for visibility. But you also don’t need to apologise for the season God is calling you into.

You are seen. You are sent. You are set apart for such a time as this.

And when you stop hiding, something shifts—in you, AND in the people you’re called to reach.

So show up. Release what’s in your hands. Walk it out. For the audience of one, the applause of heaven, and for eternal impact!

Share This Post! If this spoke to you, share it with a friend who needs this encouragement :)

Join the Conversation in the comments: Where do you recognise you've been hiding? And what will you do to step into obedience?

Love,

Vicky x