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What To Do Until You Are Famous

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I’ve worked with many well known and even famous people in my life. I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the greatest known singers and musicians in the world. 

I’ve also worked with people who want to be famous but probably never will be. 

What are the differences? Why do some become famous and others don’t?  

Let me define what famous means to most people. To be known and loved.  Even if someone wants to be famous to have money, it still comes back to being affirmed for success. To be known.  

Are you using energy in your life (or blog) to be known? 

Before you decide you don’t want to read the rest of this post because it may cause condemnation….let me say this…God put in us a desire to be known. He wants us to be known by Him. He put in us a desire to be loved so we’d pursue being loved by Him. Under the work of the Holy Spirit that same desire is used to support others. To use our voices to call upon the greatness we see in each other is encouragement. And it spurs us on to do the work of the Kingdom. It’s the desire for greatness that has given people the drive to start non-profits and take care of the less fortunate. 

Submitted to God, being known is a result of making Him known. 

God promises to have rewards and assignments for us in heaven.  And he knows in the pursuit of Him we will be known by Him and even find peace in the presence of our enemies. He has a plan for us to be known on earth and in heaven. 

The problem comes when well meaning Christians who desire to make Jesus famous get caught up with the wave of excitement of being known.  I can almost smell the rise of defeat among those that will never find the acclaim they so desire.  It’s like a drive that pushes back instead of pushes forward.  

So how do we avoid the road that leads to destruction? 

It’s no secret I’m a newer blogger. So, one day I was talking to God about all the things I’d been told I needed to do to make my blog known so I could do the work he’s called me to do. He spoke this to my heart. “Jill, I got my will accomplished before social networking was invented.”  

I am utterly convinced that if I spend more time on social networking or building my audience instead of the instructions of Jesus – to love God and love each other – then I have failed.

I may not be the best at Twitter and Facebook etiquette. I may not have a lot of followers, subscribers or comments.  But, God knows me. And if what I write is meant to be read by the masses, He will bring attention to it. I must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the other things will be added unto me. 

 So, I complied a list of things really famous people do. (you decide if you know them or not)

 TOP 10 LIST 

  1. Build into someone else’s platform
  2. Pay more attention to the average person than the popular person
  3. Be generous with time, money and affection
  4. Build relationships not contacts
  5. Treat people the same privately as publicly
  6. Don’t break eye contact when in conversation for anyone else walking by
  7. Treat people as extraordinary and fuss over them often
  8. Habitually do something for someone that can’t return the favor
  9. Keep promises and commitments
  10. Arrive on time to scheduled meetings, parties or appointments

This list is just a start of the challenge for me.  What do you want to be famous for?  

A Grace Journey with Jill Monaco

Comments

  1. Jill, a good word for today! A needed reminder because sometimes I forget that I blog for an audience of One.

  2. Jill, this was fantastic! Thank you for sharing 😉 It’s so easy to lose focus of Him in seeking to get His word out there. I needed to hear this!

  3. Love this, Jill! Love the truth of this post and the reminder that He knows us, and can and will use anybody, regardless of their worldly notoriety and social status! Well said, friend!

    • Kris, I love how He prefers to use those of us that have lower status sometimes! Your comment made me think…He will use anybody that is willing. We don’t need talent, connections or the world’s ways. If we are simply willing to receive, He will give to us.

    • Kris, I love how He prefers to use those of us that have lower status sometimes! Your comment made me think…He will use anybody that is willing. We don’t need talent, connections or the world’s ways. If we are simply willing to receive, He will give to us.

  4. Amen to this! “I got my will accomplished before social networking.” Heh.

    You have given many more words to my prayers this morning, to remember to let His will be done through me. As I stepped back from stress of the “how do I grow”, I received a gentle reminder and instant relief that it’s not me who does the growing. I am but the vessel into which He pours, and the vessel which then pours out.

    • Oh Kim…and He is faithful! I love how he answers prayers and gives us instant relief with a word. Thank you for being transparent and sharing what God is showing you in this journey. You are a beautiful vessel to God and He is excited to use your writing.

    • Oh Kim…and He is faithful! I love how he answers prayers and gives us instant relief with a word. Thank you for being transparent and sharing what God is showing you in this journey. You are a beautiful vessel to God and He is excited to use your writing.

  5. I love this list. People who read our blogs are not stats. If that is how you view them, they will pick up on that. We need to genuinely care for those who are reading our blogs. interact, make friendships. And whether it pays off in big numbers or not, at least you are genuinely connecting and caring for people.

  6. This is so true!! It is about relationships, not contacts. And I LOVE this line: “Jill, I got my will accomplished before social networking was invented.” This is so true. I really struggle with social media. And I love what Mike said in his comment…I blog for an audience of One. And that one is the most important one!

    Great post…thank you for sharing.

    • You are so welcome Mary. Thanks for sharing what parts you really liked. And I wish Mike would’ve read the draft so I could’ve included it in the post! Such a great point!

    • You are so welcome Mary. Thanks for sharing what parts you really liked. And I wish Mike would’ve read the draft so I could’ve included it in the post! Such a great point!

  8. I’m not sure I would agree that “famous” people do those things, but I do think it’s a great list of things that people in general should do. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • I had to smile at your comment because you are right. But, the people that are “famous” are the ones that do those things … even if no one knows their names.

    • I had to smile at your comment because you are right. But, the people that are “famous” are the ones that do those things … even if no one knows their names.

    • I’d love to hear any additions to my list! I’m sure there are more ideas. But, I’m glad you liked that one. Being in marketing for so long has caused me to see the “yuk” with building anything for selfish ambition. Jesus is about relationships right? Thanks for your encouragement.

  10. Oh my, just what I needed stirred into my spirit today Jill. Thank you, very well said.

    • I’d love to hear any additions to my list! I’m sure there are more ideas. But, I’m glad you liked that one. Being in marketing for so long has caused me to see the “yuk” with building anything for selfish ambition. Jesus is about relationships right? Thanks for your encouragement.

  13. Okay, you’ve got me –Just signed up for you blog. This posting is so very anointed, I can hear God all over it. Thank you for sharing! and your obedience.

    • YEAH…you signed up for my blog?! You may put me over 10 subscribers! 🙂 I’m blessed to hear you say you heard God in it…that means so much to me. The whole point of writing for me is to share what God is saying. And I was a little nervous about sharing it so thank you for mentioning obedience.

    • YEAH…you signed up for my blog?! You may put me over 10 subscribers! I’m blessed to hear you say you heard God in it…that means so much to me. The whole point of writing for me is to share what God is saying. And I was a little nervous about sharing it so thank you for mentioning obedience.

  14. This post is exactly what I needed to hear today. God used you to speak directly to me. Thanks so much!

  16. Jill, I love, love, love this! Such an important perspective! Thank you for sharing your heart.
    God spoke something very similar to me early on in my social media days when I was asking Him about keeping up with everyone in the social media world. What you heard from Him is encouragement to me and confirmation again of the path He told me to take. Blessing, Kristin

    • Kristin, I loved having lunch with you today and talking more about how we are free from promotion in this way. He has a path that is planned for us that includes us finding peace in the process. Can’t wait to see what else he does for you.

    • Kristin, I loved having lunch with you today and talking more about how we are free from promotion in this way. He has a path that is planned for us that includes us finding peace in the process. Can’t wait to see what else he does for you.

  18. Could I love this more? Nope. Not possible.

    Seriously, this is so very close to what I have been feeling of late… in my case the Lord assured me that He “could handle His own PR” 😉

    • I love how God phrased it to you…yes, he can do his own PR. He is so good to enjoy us on his team though! Thanks for sharing.

  19. After meeting some “famous” bloggers at Allume I can honestly say that you hit that top 10 list spot on. The women I was intimidated by because of their blog status ended up making me feel like they couldn’t believe they got to meet ME! It was surreal 🙂 And humbling. And a great reminder that we’re all just sisters in Christ.

    • Such a sweet gift to walk away with after the conference….I’m confident that is why Sarah Mae so passionately assembled this community!

    • I’m so glad you were inspired….I admire your writing and appreciate your contribution to the blog world! You make Allume living look easy and fun!

  22. I just wanted to thank you all for commenting…I honestly responded to each of you but it’s not showing up on the website. I’m working to resolve that but know how much I appreciate your encouragement.

  23. Thanks for this, Jill – I needed a reminder to be grounded in good, and I think your list does just that. What great traits to focus on building as we enter a new year!

    • That makes me so happy….bring in God’s way of community in the new year! Thanks for sharing.

  24. Thank you Jill. I was struggling with this desire to be known and affirmed the other day (specifically as a writer), and here is the message I got… “Who are you?” “You are a very small part of something big that God is doing.” I just have to return here again and again as I tell stories to make God more famous (not me).

    • Isn’t it great to know that when we desire to be known it’s a good thing instead of a bad thing? God put that in you on purpose! Your storyline is a part of the best story of all time…

  25. I so love this line: “And if what I write is meant to be read by the masses, He will bring attention to it.” I am extremely new to blogging and still finding my voice, but it’s so easy to get caught up in wanting people to know your name. Thanks for this very timely reminder!

  26. Thank you for saying exactly how I feel and for letting me know how I feel is ok. I am not a big Facebook or Twitter user and sometimes feel bad for that, but I love Him passionately and want others to see that in what I write but my time is limited and staying connected to social media increases the tension in an already hard to balance life. I agree with you, He can get His plan out to the masses in ways that I could never orchestrate.

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