The One When We're Lamps Not Nightlights

I always felt so confused about my calling and what God wanted me to do with my life, not realizing it was in me the whole time. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing for God. I love writing, so I would just write on and off here and there. One day I was praying and God asked me to keep writing and write more - so I kept writing. I'll be completely honest and will tell you the thought crossed my mind as to what I was supposed to keep writing about and how I'd know what to write next. I only want to write what God wants me to write and wasn't sure I'd be given enough to keep writing. Fun fact, God ALWAYS provides an overabundance when He does things. He's the God of more than enough every time.

God sparked something in me through writing and keeps pouring out more and more to write. I never have less than 11 drafts in progress at any given point with things God is pouring into my heart to write. God has recently asked me to start creating videos along with the writings. I'm being obedient to His direction and am starting to do just that. I will tell you it was VERY uncomfortable to do the first video but this isn't about me. This is about God and obeying Him and being faithful to him. I do what He asks and He can do what He wants with it after. I would never want to be caught disobeying God. He just needs my first "yes" and will take it from there. He always does. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing other than giving God my "yeses". Each and every one of us are called to say "yes" to God, faithfully trust Him, and share His Word and love with those He places around us by using the talents He's placed within us. Oftentimes we complicate things when God just wants us to keep it simple and say "yes". He'll never ask you to do something without giving you the ability to do it.

If you are unsure of what you are good at, ask you friends and family - they will certainly tell you and I'm guessing they'll be able to tell you rather quickly. Who were you before anyone told you who you were supposed to be? Start with what you are good at and what you love to do - right where you are and God will take it from there. Pray about it. God will answer and give you direction. I don't know where God will lead me next, I'm just following His direction to the next step in the ladder as He leads.

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells us a story about 3 men who were each given different amounts of silver according to their abilities. The ones who actually used the silver God gave them to further God's Kingdom were rewarded with more silver. Do something with what God has given you. Don't bury your silver - your talents matter. God did not overlook you or your life. He gave you gifts and talents specifically to be used for God. Comparing ourselves to others causes us to miss what He’s given us. Do something with what God has given you. Don't stop using your talents because you've been hurt in the past. Get out and try again - it's not about you or me. Our talents, gifts, and resources were never meant to be used selfishly by us. They were given to us by God to love and serve others and to bring glory to God.

1 Peter 4:10 "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."

I think a lot of us struggle with trying to find the callings God has on our lives because we tend to overthink and complicate things. I know I tend to. I'm not good with babies. They terrify me. I don't feel comfortable around babies. Because of this, I guarantee I'm not going to willingly volunteer in a nursery anywhere unless it's simply to take out the dirty diapers. We all have different things we are good at and things we are not good at. Our gifts are meant to be seen by others and to serve others. I love writing so I started with that and God has been working in me and through me and is stretching me into other areas. I would have never dreamt of doing some of these things even a year ago. When we start using our talents for God, they become fluid.

We should also be encouraging each other daily. If your friends are living out their talents and bringing glory to God, cheer them on. Encourage them. The enemy is trying to discourage us from doing anything we are supposed to be doing for God so we should be constantly fighting for each other and encourage each other day to day. God desires our faithfulness over success. Our talents, gifts, resources, and time should be viewed in respect to how we are faithful to God rather than how the world gauges success. Recognize your uniqueness in this world and use it for God. Follow God wherever you are, right where He leads you for His glory and cheer each other on along the way.

You are a lamp, not a nightlight. Your talents were meant to shine bright. That is your faithful calling. The world's standards are constantly changing. What the world calls success changes all the time. Be faithful to produce the story God has equipped you for. Be faithful with what God has equipped you to do. Faithfulness looks different for everyone. What He's given you looks different than what He's given your friend. You will be successful when you view success as being faithful to the callings God has placed on your life. God hasn't forgotten you. He knew you, formed you, and placed you where you are.

Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

Believe and trust that you have been given something important - something that matters. Do something with what God has given you right where you are. Just be you and let God work through you. Embrace who you are. God made you for this. We don't have to look perfect or be perfect. We just have to be real and let God do the work through us. It's really about stewardship, not stardom. I write because God tells me to and I like writing. I write whether anyone reads it or not. All that matters to me is being faithfully obedient to God. I try really hard to think of my daily choices with an eternal mindset. What we fix our minds on we chase with our hearts so I choose to fix my mind on Jesus every single day. He fuels my heart and continually ignites more and more passion within me for Him.