I Refuse to Dim My Light

When I took the job at the “Christian” radio station, I believed I was stepping into a place where my gifts would flourish. I was excited to use my voice, creativity, and passion for storytelling in a way that would inspire and uplift. But I quickly realized that while leadership talked about purpose and calling, their real priority was something else—fitting in.

It wasn’t about growing into the person GOD created you to be. It was about shaping yourself into what they wanted. You could use your gifts, but only within their narrow definition of what was acceptable. You could be creative, but only in the way that aligned with their preferences. You could speak, but only if your voice reflected theirs.

The Bare Minimum Mentality

There was an unspoken rule: do what you were hired to do, but don’t go beyond that. Stretching yourself, thinking outside the box, or bringing fresh ideas wasn’t encouraged. Instead of pushing employees to operate in their GOD-given purpose, leadership preferred everyone to stay within comfortable, predictable boundaries.

They talked about work-life balance—a concept I fully support. But what they really promoted was a kind of complacency. A culture where doing the bare minimum was enough, where true passion was stifled, and where anything beyond what was expected was seen as unnecessary.

The most ironic part? They would thank employees for “fitting in with the culture,” as if blending in was the highest achievement one could reach.

Playing Small vs. Living Fully

But here’s the thing—GOD didn’t create us to fit in. He didn’t give us gifts to be placed on a shelf or only used in ways that make others comfortable. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

GOD calls us to shine, to grow, to use every ounce of the potential He placed inside of us. He never intended for us to shrink ourselves to fit into someone else’s idea of who we should be.

Moving Forward in Purpose

Looking back, I see that job for what it was—a stepping stone. A lesson. A season that taught me what it looks like when people choose comfort over calling, when leadership values conformity over creativity. But I also see how GOD used it to push me forward.

If you’re in a place where your gifts are being stifled, where you’re asked to fit in instead of stand out, let me encourage you—don’t settle. Don’t shrink to make others comfortable. The gifts GOD gave you were meant to be used, fully and boldly.

You weren’t made to blend in. You were made to shine.