I have gone through this question over and over again and have wondered what should be the answer. I guest you have heard of people saying, "let your light shine before men and I am the light of the world". But why really should your light shine before men? I will tell you the answer to this big question, why should your light shine before men?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven. Matthew 5.16
I guess you now know the reason God says your light should shine before me. Now, the command, "let your light shine before men" was given by Christ Jesus. And He wants us to work to it. You know why? Because He wants men to glorify your father which is in heaven, God.
To tell you the truth brethren, God is looking for people to glorify Him on earth but before that is going to happen, your light need to shine first before men. In Oder words, if your light shine not, God will not get any glory from you. And your life ought to bring glory to God.
Now, listen to what Christ Jesus said, "let your light so shine before men" that is to tell you that there is a light inside of you and what is that light? Its your potential, your gift, your talent or your hidden treasure. Because if you look at it, Christ related it to your good work.
That means, your talent, gift, or potential need to come into living reality for/that men will see as a good work. That is to say, "your gift, potential and talent become a good work when it comes into reality. So your gift, dream, revelation, talent, goal and potential need to come into living reality, forming a good work before before men will glorify your father which is in heaven
Note that your light will only shine when it comes into living for everyone to see. The world will arise at the treasure and give gift inside of you and give God glory, only when it becomes a good work, living reality.
So what are you waiting for? Don't give up on any thing that will stop your light from shining because God is seeking for people to glorify Him through your light/gift, talent, goal, vision, hidden treasure. Potential etc... Be wise!