Share Your Story!
As I updated
my blog the other day, I realized that I had not written a new post in 3 years.
It’s hard to believe that I had let so much time pass without sharing any word
of hope or encouragement for my readers. I felt like I had let people down
because I ignored my God-given ability to reach people with my writing and
transparency. Well, no more!
As I write
this today, I want to encourage everyone out there to write your stories, too.
You may not have the knack for writing, but write anyways. You may be afraid to
be open and vulnerable to others, but be open anyways. You may have
felt ignored by your own church leaders; but don’t let that stop you! You may feel like everyone else seems to get the support from their church
family that you don’t; but you have God’s support. God wants for you to share
your stories! God will bring the right audience to you. He will bring the people
that need your testimony.
I found that
I had gotten so hung up on the fact that I didn’t feel supported, heard and encouraged, and wasn’t given the opportunity to serve where my
gifts could best be used, that I gave up for a little while. I actually got
angry and convinced that I needed to leave- to move on to somewhere else. Then, God spoke to me and reminded me that it
is He who has called me. It is He for whom I write. It is He
who will bring forth the opportunities to be used in His Kingdom. He reminded
me that even the best leaders can get in the way of His plans, but He will find
another way. No matter what, God’s plans will prevail!
This is true
for you, too, my friends! You have a story. You have gifts. You have overcome
and someone else is in need of the hope that will come from hearing your
testimony!
The Enemy is
real and he will do anything he can to cause us to become discouraged, to get
off-track, to feel let down, ignored, and forgotten. It is not true. God never
forgot you. He has never left your side. In Deuteronomy 31:8, He says, “I will
not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.” Even if
no one else seems to notice your struggles. Even if you feel more distant from
Him, right now, than you ever have in your entire life. Even if you have
allowed yourself to get off track from your destiny and haven’t been walking
out the life you are called to live. My friend, EVERY day is a new day! EVERY
day is a fresh start. God is not keeping a record of your wrongs or failures. “Love
keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5) That is a lie that the enemy
would have you believe. God gives each new day to you with a beautiful sunrise
and the morning dew on the grass to remind you that today is brand-new. “This
is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm
118:24) Today is your day!
Starting today, I vow to keep writing as much as I possibly can. I’m making
this promise out loud to you, my readers. God has called me to share His good
news with you. I’m making this promise so that you will hold me accountable.
The time to cower away from His calling is NOT now and NOT ever again. Time is
precious and every day holds the promise that another life can be healed.
Another life can be forever changed for the better. Another soul can be brought
into His Kingdom. We don’t need huge audiences or recognition. God knows who He
will reach with our stories. And if only 1 single person reads it and is
brought into a relationship with Him, it is worth it for that 1 person! Because
every single person is worthy of God’s love and forgiveness. Forget your past.
Forget any shame or guilt that you may feel. Forget whether or not you feel
supported, or even noticed, by your leaders. God has forgotten your past. He does not want you
to feel guilt or shame. “For there is NO condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) And, lastly, He is not concerned about man’s
approval. For in the end, we are only accountable to Him.
Share your
story today. Write whatever the Lord has put on your hearts. It doesn’t matter
if it’s grammatically correct, eloquently written or properly spelled. If you
do your part, God will do the rest. After all, He knows exactly who needs to
hear you! I love you all and pray that you will answer the call. Today is your
day!
