The Voice We Speak With

Greetings,

This week I have been participating in something that a friend challenged me to do, a Blog Challenge.  Typically I have stayed away from these types of things because the often end with someone asking me for something I can't really give. I don’t know if that’s going to happen in this particular Blog Challenge but I told this friend I would do my best to finish in good spirits. I’m glad to say so far I’ve learned a few things and hope to learn a few more.

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In any case, today’s challenge was to ‘pick a fight’ or in other words take a stand for something you truly believe in.  To be honest, I’m not really the type of person to ‘pick a fight’. In the past when I’ve done so, it has usually backfired. You can imagine my reluctance to complete this challenge with a history such as mine.  My nature, as I’ve grown into the person I am today, has been to avoid speaking my mind when it comes to controversial matters because of this history.  These matters have always seemed to be more of a matter of the heart than a matter of sharing an opinion with the world around me.

However, times are changing and I am beginning to learn that despite my growing nature to avoid these types of posts, it’s becoming more important for those of us that have a passion and a gift for writing to convey our voice. We need to speak with a voice that echoes what we believe, and for whom we believe in. In my case, that means taking a stand for my faith and for whom I do what I do. 

With recent developments in the world we live in today, my heart has truly been overwhelmed. I am becoming more open to these types of posts and my spirit compels me more each day to speak, but I struggle with it. Truthfully, while I have begun to notice that the tone of my writing is beginning to be more direct about what is on my heart, It frightens me because of what history has shown me. I guess maybe this challenge is the push I needed to begin realizing the need for this more.

While my tone still echoes the voice of encouragement, I am learning that sometimes the voice of encouragement is more than gentle or happy thoughts. Sometimes conveying this voice means that I will have to stand up for what I know is TRUTH. Encouragement and inspiration can come in many different ways. The argument I’m making with this post is that sometimes the old way of doing things just doesn’t work anymore. While in the past these gentle words and happy thoughts spoke volumes to those around me, it doesn't work the same way today.

Take politics for example, in years past those running were civil and focused on the differences in their perspective policies. Today, it all seems to be more about who can be the unmask their opponents weakness first and through spending the most money to do so. What about religion or church growth? In years past it was all about building up living in faith, serving wholeheartedly and singing praises. Today, it all seems to be more about building the numbers and the reputation of a specific church instead of building the heart of the person. It seems to be about making the money in order to stay afloat in a broken world instead of reaching the person and helping them embrace their creator as He molds and makes them into the person they are meant to be.

While neither are the best example, these two topics are on everyone's minds right now and have ignited a massive movement of change. The world is changing and that’s all there is to it. We have to adapt to the new way of doing things while still maintaining what we stand for. In my case, maybe it’s time to adapt as well. Maybe it time for me to begin embracing a different type of voice that echoes encouragement and inspiration. Maybe it’s time for all of us to stop and take a good long look at who we’ve become and whom we are meant to be and adapt accordingly. Yes, we still need to be that voice we were called to be, but by embracing a new way of using the voice we’ve been given.

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

Blessings in Christ and thanks again for visiting us at "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Be the example...

A  Manifesto...

A friend sent me this link to a 7 day challenge offered for bloggers looking to expand their reader base and while I’ve never really heard of the guy who is putting the challenge on, Jeff Goins, it seems like something worth putting some time into. I’m not sure I’ll be able to meet all of them but I’m sure going to put the effort into it. So, if you’re willing to join me on this small journey, I’m willing to take the next step. Here is the first Challenge….

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Why, I write…

 As young boy, it was always difficult for me to read and write.  I struggled, and still do occasionally, with seeing words correctly and putting them on paper because of Dyslexia, ADHD and really bad eye sight.  That all began to change when I received my first pair of glasses and with the blessing of my mother’s support. She struggled with some of the same things but always found a way to communicate what had been placed upon her heart regardless of what people thought. Her struggle was an inspiration to me and ultimately what gave me the passion I have for writing today.

 The question you may be asking at this point is “how does this tie in to why I write?” The truth is, I really never thought about this until I began writing for this first challenge. After some time in prayer and reflection, I realized this is where my passions began. You see, my mother inspired me so much with how she overcame her struggles that it instilled that same passion in my heart.  All she ever wanted to do with her life was to encourage others and inspire their faith, and in the end she truly did.  This was her legacy and it has now become my desire to have a similar legacy. A legacy that encourages others and inspires their faith in the darkness this world has been influenced by.

The Problem we face… and the solution we need to embrace…

 The world we live in today is full of darkness and many of us have been through experiences that should never have taken place but, at least for me, God has always found a way to bring good out of them. My desire is to use my experiences to encourage those that are facing their own darkness head on and to be used by Him in a way that only He could imagine. I desire to be a light in that darkness. God’s promises are always anew and He has promised to be faithful to us. We don’t have to face the darkness of this world on our own. My mother sought to show this to others though everything she did and to everyone she came in contact with. She desired to show them that they were not alone in their struggle, and I can only dream of doing the same with the Legacy I pray God will build through me.

Where do we do from here…

 I don’t want to say that I have all the answers by any means but I truly believe that God can use my passions to bring others into His shining light. This is why I write. It is what drives my inner heart and what I believe to be the calling that God has given many of us. The question that remains is, how do we embrace this calling? Honestly, the answer may not be as complicated as you may think. The answer this question comes by sharing our experiences with others as a way to remind them: You are not alone. We have all faced circumstances that can inspire and encourage others, all we have to do is share them, and I share mine through what I write.

 Don’t let the world keep you from being an inspiration to those around you. Instead, seek out ways you can be a great encourager and more importantly, a great example of what God can do in all our lives. If you believe, you can be the example you were called to be.

Blessings in Christ and thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.