This previous post suggested you don’t have to be a rock star to use your gifts for God. Have you figured out a way to use your gifts? If not, keep looking. If you’re prone to crushing self-doubt, ask Jesus (and have the nerve to believe him). You’ll find it.
As for me, I can safely say I’m a communicator. An “imparter” of words, such as they are. But I’m no Apostle Paul and I don’t have all the answers. Psyche! You thought I did!
I’m not here to dazzle anyone with my two-cents’ worth of wisdom (read: management assumes no responsibility for your bedazzlement). I am simply a traveler who wants to invite mutual encouragement in the faith with the help of God’s life-giving, life-changing word.
What I do know is I’ve always loved to write. Currently I am working toward publishing my faith-inspiring romance novels. Lord willing, it could happen through traditional publishing that produces lovely printed books with stunning covers, or maybe as e-books, or something super innovative and cool that my puckered little brain has yet to imagine.
And I’m okay not knowing because I will continue to write. For me, writing is a lot like being a seed-sower: I scatter seed, but I may not be the one to water, cultivate or harvest the fruit of my labor. Some kind, wealthy landlord (traditional publishing house) may come along and help me produce a crop large enough to feed tens of thousands from my carefully sown words.
I’d like that.
Or . . . one tired, hungry little kid may come along and find the sustenance he needs in my words to make it the rest of the way home. I’d like that too.
Either way, my goal is to do what I was created to do to the very finest of my ability with God’s gracious help.
Remember the prophet Jeremiah? I’m pretty sure he didn’t get nominated Prophet of the Year or score 4.5 stars in Prophets Weekly. He didn’t get many “likes” on FaceBook (though, come to think of it, he did get published…) but being popular wasn’t his goal. He did what he was created to do regardless the response.
I’ll keep sowing “word seeds” and pray God steers me down the paths He has prepared, whether rich or rocky, trampled or tilled. Whether on that path I’ll meet a rich landlord or a homeless kid, who knows. Maybe both.
Here’s the Apostle Paul’s word of encouragement to us:
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:11-12
Question: Do you know your strong suits, what you were created to do? Have you recognized the unique, recurring spiritual gifts in your life? Please share!
I’m a teacher and organizer. But one of the most important things I’ve learned about my gifts is that I’m not the “out-front” person. I do my best work when I’m in the background either working alone or with a team. I love to hear other people’s ideas and bounce them off my own. I love to do the part of the work best suited to my skills and have the lead person do their job. I don’t mind being out of the limelight because I’ve learned I have more to offer in a secondary position.
In writing that is a little different. I’ll probably never be a best-selling novelist. But from my own little office I can write articles and devotionals that may impact a reader for good. I love that. I’ll most likely never meet my readers and they won’t clamor for my autograph, but that’s just the way I like it.
It’s good to know where you are most comfortable, and even better to find a place to do it. The people/public thing gives me hives too. I want only to hole up in my writing cave and scatter words on the wind. 🙂
You know who you are — and who you are not.
I’ve known I was a writer forever — and despite that knowledge, writing went on the back burner for a lot of years. I also know I’m not one of those people who can juggle lots of different things, and at the time, motherhood trumped writing.
I am also an encourager, and that heart’s desire is woven through my writing and my speaking and my relationships.
Some of us took a while to figure out that “who you are” thang. Beth, I’m so glad God kept your heart’s desire simmering while your other burners were engaged. The encouragement you weave into ALL you do is worth the wait.
I only figured out there was something stewing on the back burner when the kids got old enough that the smell of tater tots and corndogs dissipated and I got a whiff of it. 🙂
I needed to read this today, thank you, from one “Imparter” of words to another, your goal is the same as mine, exactly actually. Thanks for clearing some of the air around reason.
Bless your words, may they bear lots of fruit!