You. Your voice. Your God-given, Spirit-inspired, life-lessons-learned voice is needed. It’s needed.
Not just maybe needed. Not just “if you want to say something then that would be fine” needed. No. I mean there are people who God strategically places and perfectly prepares to hear your. specific. voice.
Do you believe that?
Personally, I used to really wrestle with that thought. I mean, I had twelve subscribers for the first six months of my blogging venture. Twelve. And eight of those were family members.
And even though I sensed God leading me to write, I struggled. I questioned, “With all these other voices filling blogs and books, does mine really matter? Does my voice really matter.”
God slowly, faithfully revealed that I was asking the wrong question. Wondering if my voice matters put the focus on me. Not Him.
Here’s the bottom line. Write this down. Frame it. Have it tattooed around your wrist…if you’re into that. If God leads you to do it (whatever *it* is) then it’s with infinite purpose. For our good and His glory.
We may not see the results. We may never know how our words affected another. But following His lead brings great reward. I’m not talking about tangible rewards like increased subscribers or more comments or hundreds of shares — that may or may not come. I’m talking eternal, unseen rewards that time can’t steal.
You. Your voice. Your God-given, Spirit-inspired, life-lessons-learned voice is needed. It’s needed. So let’s press into our God. Let’s seek His face. And let’s trust that if He leads us to write it, then He must have a really good reason.
How have you wrestled to believe that your voice is needed?
What is God calling you to do?
Crystal says
February 13, 2013 at 6:34 amI struggle with this so much – not just with writing, but with motherhood and wondering some days why God thought I’d be any good at it! But He knows, doesn’t He? And if He believes I can do it, then why shouldn’t I? Love these words this morning 🙂
Lara Gibson Williams says
February 13, 2013 at 9:04 amOh girl. I know what you mean…especially with motherhood. I guess it’s like Paul said, when we’re weak we’re strong because we depend on Him more fierce-like. Bless you today in the journey, sister.
Mary Bonner says
February 13, 2013 at 7:13 amOh thank you, Lara!! This is JUST what I needed to hear today.
Susan Rinehart Stilwell says
February 13, 2013 at 7:54 amI’m with Mary & Crystal – timely message, Lara. Thank you for the encouragement to seek Him and press on.
Lara Gibson Williams says
February 13, 2013 at 9:03 amThanks Susan.
Kate @ Teaching What Is Good says
February 13, 2013 at 8:17 amIn a world with thousands of bloggers, many with the same message, it is often difficult to believe that my one small voice matters. But then I remember my heart and passion in writing…it is to share the gift of God’s word, His life-giving transforming truth, with women desperate for freedom. And if I am one small voice among thousands proclaiming His truth, I am in very good company indeed!
Lara Gibson Williams says
February 13, 2013 at 9:02 amYes you are. Keep on, sister. 🙂
EdieMelson says
February 13, 2013 at 9:06 amLara, I struggled with this for years, then one night, God gave me His answer. He showed me that the thousands of voices out there are His choir, and just like the music is more beautiful in a real choir with more than one soprano or more than one alto, the same holds true with the chorus He has called to spread His message. I’m just one voice, but when He directs, the music is divine!
Dee says
February 13, 2013 at 9:13 amThis post is why I love to read this Allume blog! Every time I receive a post in my email, it speaks to me and resonates with me on some level. This is where I am and why I am pressing forward in Him with my blog and things…thank you Lara. I am glad to be reminded that I have a voice, one to be used for HIS infinite purpose.
Kris Camealy says
February 13, 2013 at 9:36 amFor our good and His glory! Yes. Thank you for this beauty, Lara.
Jamie Ivey says
February 13, 2013 at 9:55 amThis is so good! I struggle w/ wondering if my voice matters. Thanks.
Susie Cantrell says
February 13, 2013 at 10:51 amHi Lara,
Yes, you. I needed your voice this day. I’ve been wrestling with this ‘writing thing’ & I’m tired. God gave me my One Word 365 and I’ve wrestled with it since. Oh, the word? WRITE. I’m amazed to read so many women whom I admire comment that they struggle with this. I know I need your voices! OK, so today, this 1st day of Lent & as I continue the walk thru the refining fire with Kris’ “Holey, Wholly, Holy” book as a companion…& so many voices of my sisters being used to speak His words to my heart & mind…I surrender. *sigh* weight lifting. peace filling… Thank You for sharing your heart-words…Lara & All of you Beauty-Full Bloggers, who Write for our good and His glory! Lara, your voice is sweet indeed. Thank You.
May you, my sweet friend, your family & ministry be blessed with many delights & may your voice continue to reach more & more hearts in Jesus’ name.
Love Ya, Susie 🙂
Jennifer Camp says
February 13, 2013 at 12:57 pmThis reminder is always so good for me–am I keeping my focus on me, or Him? I must trust Him–that I am good enough, and that through Him, of course, my words matter. Thank you, Lara.
Ronnie Okwoche-Welsh says
February 13, 2013 at 1:38 pmThanks for sharing this. On this Ash Wednesday, what a perfect time to be reminded of this. Let us always allow His words to live through us. Again, thanks for the words of inspiration.
Becky Daye says
February 13, 2013 at 2:04 pmBeautiful reminder- thank you for allowing your voice to be heard and encouraging so many as a result!
Missindeedy says
February 13, 2013 at 2:56 pmThis post spoke right to me, too. I love the thought of pressing into God to hear Him and glorify him with the voice He gave us. Thank you Lara!
Michele-Lyn says
February 13, 2013 at 4:12 pmThis resonates in my soul. It’s a similar theme to what my post will be tomorrow. But, really, I believe God’s Spirit is speaking to His people. I love this line, ” Wondering if my voice matters put the focus on me. Not Him.”
Beautiful write, beautiful heart, my friend.
Stephanie says
February 13, 2013 at 6:24 pmThank you for using YOUR voice to reach this heart today!! I’ve spent months!! since Allume searching, praying, and running. That’s it, running. Thinking how in the world can these words I’ve written mean anything to anyone! Yet faithfully as He always is, I’m reminded by a simple post on Facebook or an email, or a card that my words expressed as a reflection of His love, make an impact. If I only reach one for Him, that is my true hearts desire. Thank you! I so needed those exact words!
Chris says
February 13, 2013 at 8:16 pmThis was timely for me too. I just need to relax, write what He wants and leave it to Him. It was difficult to release what I wrote today because it was so personal – but God glorifying. Sent in faith trusting Him to place it into a receptive heart.
Christy Fitzwater says
February 13, 2013 at 9:39 pmI need this kind of encouragement every day. Thank you so much!
Ian says
February 13, 2013 at 11:38 pmWonderful message, Lara. This is what is important. Write because He has asked us to & let Him manage the rest. Easy to say I guess but difficult to do in practice.
But as you encourage us, if we keep pressing into Him, He will guide us.
Thanks Lara.
Lisa Nieman says
February 16, 2013 at 2:47 pmYes, there is a reason I write. And you’re absolutely right – it’s for a reason. Thanks for the beautiful message.
Miss Rachel says
March 3, 2013 at 10:05 amWow, wow wow wow. Miss Lara, this post touched me as it was 100% exactly what I needed today. I’ve actually been struggling with this all this past week, well, maybe longer than that really. And slowly this message that God *does* want to use my particular voice in this vast world not only has humbled me but excites me as well (even though I’m still scared at times!). 🙂 This week He’s given me the gift to see a little glimpse of how He has already been using me and my writing. I am bookmarking this page so I can read it over and over on those days I doubt. Thank you so much!
Melinda says
March 3, 2013 at 10:42 amDear Lara,
Like so many of us have already commented, this is just want I needed to hear. Right now. Today. This week. I’ve been struggling with wondering if God was really using my words for Him. I have some followers on my blog, but they rarely comment and I was wondering if anyone read or was encouraged by anything I wrote. I was thinking of quitting, because I was losing hope and faith in what I was passionate about, writing. It hurt.
But this, this has given me hope and I’m so grateful! Thank you!! May Jesus richly bless you for writing what He has laid on your heart.
Melinda
kristen @Littlehousejoy says
March 3, 2013 at 3:27 pmSo thankful for your heart-felt message. Discouragement can truly seep in slow. Thank you. 🙂
Bstar0306 says
March 4, 2013 at 2:37 amI’m constantly saying this to myself. I’m like why bother there are 10x more bloggers that are better than me. But obviously no other blogger is the same as me 🙂
Alyssa Avant says
March 23, 2013 at 9:17 pmEven though I have been blogging / writing for years I still feel like i am “small” blogger. So I say this to myself more often than not.