May 31, 2015 |
People hear what they want to hear.
Children have selective hearing that picks up words like “ice cream” and ignores others like “chores”. When a friend asks, “How are you?”, they’re already hoping you’re going to ask them the same question. Our lifestyles are wired to be self-fulfilling, and serving others is a secondary agenda.
But what if what you have to say is important? So important, it could be a life changer? And what do you do if your audience refuses to listen?
Is Thing Thing On?
In the last few years, I’ve changed jobs, quit a relationship, and forayed into more writing, media, and public speaking.
With each new experience, I’ve tried to still the waters behind me. I had a burning desire to explain myself, to be heard.
It’s not you, it’s me.
But the truth is, it was them, too. And I don’t owe them an explanation.
I was called to move on, not to stand still.
I’m not advocating telling your boss off or always needing to be the center of attention. But you have a message to say, and if others aren’t listening or respecting you, it’s okay to move on and find your audience.
Is there anyone out there?
In fact, God instructs us to leave the past in the past.
“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words,
leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”
~Matthew 10:14, NIV
When God says “GO”, are you going? Or are you slowly dragging your feet, hoping He meant “later”? Hoping He meant “together”?
We all need to support our families. We all have a need to be loved. We all need to be heard.
It’s hard to make changes and keep going. It can be super scary to climb those steps when you don’t know what’s at the top.
Those Daunting Steps
But there are some situations when we need to take that leap of faith and trust that God knows more about our path than we do.
Stopping in hope someone else understands, trying to reason with people who choose not to hear, is telling God that while He may have a decent plan, it just doesn’t work.
I don’t know about you,
but I don’t want to ever be the one
to tell God
His plan won’t work.
Think on this: If you’re sharing your message but not being heard, it’s not you, it’s them.
Here’s another: If you’re compromising your message to stay where you’re at, it’s not them, it’s you.
Are you listening? Don’t drag them with you. Leave the unlisteners where they are. It’s okay to move on without them. God will lead you to where He needs you to be.
It’s hard, to be sure. Especially if you’re a people-person.
But it’s the right thing to do.
Your audience is everyone you come into contact with. Not just daily, but even those once-in-a-while folks you might not otherwise think of.
- Coworkers
- Friends
- Neighbors
- People at church and community functions
- When you run errands to the store or gas station
- Strangers on the phone or in the next car
Are you sharing your message? Are you actively seeking out your audience? If you’re doing your part but those doors keep closing on you, it’s time to find a new audience.
Do whatever it takes to live the message God has called you to live and to take care of the family He’s given you.
Pray for divine appointments
for Him to bring people you can encourage,
and for those who can encourage you.
A Pastor at my church used to tell everyone, “We’re all in this together.” And he was right. This life isn’t just about me, or you, or us, or them. It’s about us all.
We’re all in this together – Are you doing your share?
And it’s okay to venture out into the big, scary world when God tells you. Just don’t look back. Shake off the unbelievers and follow Him around the bend. You may not know what’s ahead, but He does. And He’s really glad you’re coming with Him.
Remember this: God never calls the equipped. He equips the called.
If He’s asking you to say-do-share something,
He’s going to give you the means to do it.
So get up, shake off that dust, and get walking.
You have something to say, and I want to hear it.
Your Audience is Waiting
What message are you giving the world this week?
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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If you’re sharing your message but not being heard, it’s not you, it’s them. @RealMojo68 (Click to Tweet)
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May 29, 2015 |
Jeremiah 29:11 When God Is In Your Corner, It’s Not A Punishment
Since coming back from Blue Ridge, I’ve thrown myself into the promise that God not only knows what He’s doing, but that He really, truly wants the best for me.
You’ve read often of how Jeremiah 29:11 is my life verse; what it means to me, and how I try to apply it to my daily life.
My Life Verse ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Last week, I curated my posts and personal thoughts to write my newest Kindle book, Jeremiah 29:11 – When God Is In Your Corner, It’s Not A Punishment.
We don’t have to turn away from what God has for us. Too often, I find myself disbelieving that I’m worthy of all the greatness He wants to bestow on me. That’s farce! That’s a trick of the enemy to get inside my head and rob me of the good things God has planned.
This weekend, I’m offering this short and easy to read booklet for free. Just click on the photo or the link above to get your own copy. I pray that it blesses you as much as it continues to bless me.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Stop Fighting and Be Still.
Before You Pray
It’s Complicated, Part Two: Christianity.
May 26, 2015 |
Back in March, I celebrated my birthday with week’s worth of events. My favorite was the actual weekend of my birthday.
On Friday, some friends took me out to a local hot spot called The Wine Seller. We listened to live music, drank a little, conversed a lot. One of my closest friends, Mary, is a fellow writer. She’s older than I am, a fellow empty-nester. I sometimes call her “Mom” and she sometimes introduces me as her adopted daughter.
She gave me this beautiful Frog Prince pin.
The Frog Prince Pin
We have much more in common than just writing, which makes her an even more invaluable friend. Her son stopped by the Wine Seller to say hey, at which point I reveled in telling him all the food “Mom” has been cooking for me in his absence. “No offense, guy, but you’ve been replaced.” I say that with all love, of course. [Note to quasi-brother: I promise not to eat your dessert. Unless you let me. And I can still kick your bum on Trivia Crack. . . maybe.]
On Saturday, she opened her home to a group of my friends for a “movie party”. I brought The Princess Bride, Scrabble Cheez-Its, and ten people. We of course had a blast reciting along with the movie. You know how it goes. “As you wish. . . ” “My name is Inigo Montoya . . .” “Princess Buttercup. . . ” Yes. We’re a fun bunch.
I also bought a bottle of wine, but it went untouched. No problem, I thought. I’d just learned two days earlier that I was actually going to Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and decided I would keep the wine until my return.
Lucky Bamboo and a Bottle of Wine
See that great mini Mardi Gras mask? Mary gave me that, too. It’s a reminder to stay focused on writing NOLA. The bamboo, I bought. How could I not, it’s lined with frogs! That’s a reminder to bring life to my story. Let it grow, flow, expand.
These are all reminders to enjoy life, to be open to new avenues, to take the great adventures and the roads less traveled.
The bottle has sat on my counter for two months. Now that I’ve returned from Blue Ridge, I’m setting a new goal.
I’ve two agents interested in reading NOLA. One wants it when it’s finished, the other wants the first 25,000 words. Since I’ve written, and rewritten, and tightened, and edited, and rewritten, and oh by the way, rewritten, the first few chapters of NOLA, getting those first 25,000 words shouldn’t be a problem.
That’s what I’m saving this wine for. I should be able to pop it open by June 1.
Unless, of course, another deadline comes along. Like, waiting until the whole book is finished. Or entering another contest. Or landing an agent. Or getting published.
Time goes by fast, I’m told. I’m gonna celebrate the little victories, and save up for the big ones.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
My Two-Inch Peacock
2105: HOPE
