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A Reluctant Blogger

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Write from Obedience .jpg

“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew  you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5

I’m not like many of you. The ones who write because you love it, because your words flow out like honey and because you must write as it is your life source. I’m not super poetic with my words, I’m not even funny (well, sometimes I’m funny) yet I have reluctantly come to the realization that I too am a writer.

I’m not so much passionate about writing as I am about Jesus.

My journey to writing or most specifically blogging began two years ago. I was studying the book of Ephesians and though I had read it many times before, this time I was struck by Paul’s ability to encourage the church at Ephesus through his letters despite the challenges that must have come with writing during that time.

I marveled at how easy it is nowadays to share Jesus with someone through an email, Facebook post, tweet, etc. And I wondered why don’t more people do that? And then wait, why don’t I do that?

And very clearly I felt the Lord nudge me to start a blog where I could share my faith and encourage others.  I thought OK, maybe except for the fact that I don’t actually like to write and that no one really wants to read my thoughts anyway, right?

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

So I did nothing for a while, sure that the Lord would be OK with me ignoring Him this one time and that the whole crazy writing idea would just pass.

It didn’t.

He spoke to me through friends, other blogs, and church sermons.  Until finally, I could ignore Him no longer.

So I played it safe and started a family blog, thinking at least my out of town family might occasionally read just to get caught up on our news and I could sprinkle a little bit of Jesus in there somewhere.

And that’s exactly what I did for about a year because, really, I wasn’t a writer.

Yet the passion that stirred in my heart to share written words of encouragement grew to the point that I even approached our church’s women’s ministry director about starting a blog where ladies could share their faith stories and encourage one another. She thought it a great idea and I became the editor for our collaborative blog.

I was convinced other people would have great stories to share that would be way better than mine.

And then just a few weeks ago I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the lack post submissions for our women’s ministry blog. I kept thinking don’t they know how important this is? Don’t they understand how their words could be used to bless others?

And then I felt it very clearly. No, they don’t.  And that’s OK because I didn’t call THEM to write, I called YOU.

And I cried. Because I knew the Lord was telling me what I had been trying not to hear.

Not everyone is called to write. Some are called to minister in other ways. Just as not all of the apostles wrote letters.

We know Paul, Peter and John did but does that mean the other apostles didn’t work to expand the kingdom as well? Of course not, I’m sure they used their talents and calling to bless others as well.

I had to stop focusing on what others were not doing and finally accept the task the Lord had given me.

To share my voice and write because He wanted me to. 

There may be others of you reading like me. Reluctant bloggers/writers that write out of a sense of obedience to share the gospel rather than out of just a love of writing.

Today I want to encourage you because you too have been called and you are writers.

Because it’s not about how good of a writer you or I think we are or how many followers, likes or shares we get, if you’re called to write and you answer the call, He will give you the words.

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Zohary
Zohary is wife to her sweetheart and bf Tim and mom to 4 ages 3-16. She above all a receiver of grace and as a counselor and coach loves to use her words to encourage women in their walks. She also loves a cold coca-cola,  and anything mint chocolate. She’s writes about living grace-fueled at zoharyross.com

 

Comments

  1. Thank you, Zohary, for sharing your heart. I don’t feel as much like a writer as I do a “word wrestler.” I hope it gets better with time but in my 4th year blogging, I wonder! In the meantime, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one.

  2. Appreciate this and understand completely. I am a reluctant writer who was happy to stay in the closet (and journals ) with my words until God nudged me gently to share…and it has been a journey and blessing as I have followed Him right into the blogosphere. Great post! Thank you!

  3. I can’t imagine how many women are weeping with understanding as they read your words, and recognize that familiar tug they, too, have been ignoring. As Dawn said, it is a blessing to write in obedience. Sometimes, it is as much for our own enlightenment as it is for others. Thanks for sharing your journey!

  6. Wow! I honestly could have written this word for word, this sounds SO much like me. Scripture verses and all. A kindred spirit, you are. 🙂 Thank you for sharing AND thank you for your obedience to what God has called you to do. He is the One we are to concern ourselves with pleasing. May God continue to bless everything you do!

  7. Amen sister! I am right there with you. Ministry is not about us anyways, it’s about the Lord. Because of this, as a reluctant writer, it helps me to keep my focus on Him rather than myself! Thanks for sharing.

  9. I always get the question, “Are you a writer who speaks or a speaker who writes?” Well, in fact, I’m a pharmacist who feels compelled to write and kind of forced to speak! So I know exactly what you mean. God healed me with a miracle after 7 yeas of seizures, migraines, and prescription drug addiction. One week later, He told me to write. That began this somewhat hilarious, frustrating, teeth-chattering journey out of my comfort zone and into His will!

  10. Well said, Zohary! I get this. My words flow better when I am obedience to His prompting. The posts I’m often reluctant to write are when I must talk about Christ liberally, and not just sprinkled here and there as an eye-catching garnish. However the peace that He gives afterwards? It’s worth the struggle each and every time.

    Keep on writing. I’m looking forward to your transition from reluctant to eager 🙂

  11. Zohary, I’m glad you listened. And are “sprinkling Jesus” with your words. Obedience can sometimes take a while. I’m still learning to listen and heed the call.

  12. I was so reluctant myself to start blogging. I tried to put off the nudge of the Holy Spirit for a long time. My background is not in writing but design, who would have thought? I Still question but stay obedient. Thank you for encouraging and sharing your story.

  13. Thank you!! I too an a reluctant blogger, word wrestler and trying to come to terms with not comparing and checking numbers I am called to be obedient to God and what he is calling me to do.

  14. Wonderful, convicting post! You may not feel like a writer or like being one, but you are!
    Keep on!
    Blessings,
    Lynn

  15. GREAT message Zohary! You know the old question that people ask, “Are you a writer who speaks or a speaker who writes?” Well, I’m a pharmacist who was called to write and dragged kicking and screaming into speaking. So yes, I definitely get it! God taught me seven years of empathy lessons when he took me from one side of the pharmacy counter to the other, and for 7 years dealt with grand-mal seizures, depression, and prescription drug addiction. Then, as soon as my “lessons” were learned and I sought him for my purpose, as quickly as the first seizure came on, He took it all away. Overnight. Then he told me to write. What possible choice did I have at that point?!? Bless you for being obedient and writing for him! (www.celestialprescriptions.com)

  16. Love this Zohary! I think we can all totally relate on some level-I definitely can 🙂 Thanks for shairing and so many blessings to you!
    Sherri Ohler

  17. What an encouraging posts for all the writers who try to hide from ‘The Calling.’ I have journaled and written off and on for years and it’s one of things I just can’t ignore. Thanks for sharing your experience, it let’s me know I’m not alone in this circumstance.

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