Obedience - You won't always understand it.

Can I tell you how hard it is to write a blog that really no one reads?

Can I tell you how hard it is to go to God about this blog He wanted, and continue to hear keep writing?

Can I tell you how hard it is to hear that writing is the format – when I truly feel like literally no one reads anymore? Or watches a video longer than 30 seconds (and let’s tell the truth, I can’t keep anything I say to 30 seconds), or really puts any effort into anything that takes focus anymore…

Cue the internal encouragement (read: Holy Spirit setting my attitude right.) This is a problem with society, not God’s instruction. If everyone stops doing what’s right because no one is paying attention – when they DO start paying attention there won’t be anything right. You know, it really doesn’t matter if you write this for everyone or no one – God told you to write, and that’s what you’re going to do.

But I remember the days when blogs were full of interaction and it was such a community of growth and building others up, sharing experiences no matter how far apart, like-minded champions.  That was all back when the internet was new, and we were just thrilled you could talk to someone across the country without buying a long-distance calling card. What should have been the thing that closed the gap between everyone and their differences, is now probably the most divisive tool the world has ever seen. But isn’t that just like the enemy – to steal, kill, and destroy; twist and maim good intentions for evil; mislead and misdirect. The sad part is, you probably rolled your eyes when I put the blame squarely where it belongs…because he’s even convinced most people he isn’t real.

I am overflowing with what God has been teaching me over the last 12-18 months. Truthfully, I’m desperate for a community to talk about what God is doing right now; I suppose that’s where the idealized vision of this blog came from. Nothing is more encouraging to a walk than to hear that God is moving! My friends probably get tired of hearing about it, and I’m wearing out the number keys of the few friends that don’t – but I know there is a world out there of people who feel just like me, who are busting at the seams with what God is doing for them and with them, and want a venue to talk about his greatness WITH someone, not AT someone. Is there literally anything like that anymore?

Social media has become a barrage of outputs. It’s overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I love the messages and access to great leaders who love God – there is rarely a day that goes by that he doesn’t use one or more to encourage me in my walk. But there is no community.

And frankly, our churches are busy talking at us, too. If I had $1 for every person that has said something like, “I don’t have friends at church; I’m a mess and everyone else has their life together.” Actual facepalm. We’re all a mess. We’re supposed to be edifying each other, walking together, building up one another…but NOOOOOO, we’re hiding in corners because my mess is really messy and yours is hidden behind some façade. The whole point of the body of Christ is community, but we’re too scared to be transparent to actually function. (Side note: I’m generalizing here – I realize this is not 100% true, but it is A LOT true and needs to be addressed. So if you’re one of those people breaking down barriers to create a real community for believers – KUDOS to you. You’re a rarity, and I’d like to be friends.)

It sounds like I’m ranting. I guess I kind of am…because if I am connected to my church, have friends who truly love God, am involved in serving, am actively walking my faith out and I feel LONELY sometimes…then imagine those that are new, or struggling, or lost. It breaks my heart, because I don’t know how to reach them…but I WANT to. I’ve been CALLED to. WE have been called to.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from who the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:11-16

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. – Hebrews 4:1-2

I will be here…writing regularly; not only because God told me to, but because I can see how he is growing my faith and relationship with him through this process. And I may occasionally vent, because this blog has become a safe place to do so, and when I do he always encourages me with scripture. And I will continue to use this method to throw out a lifeline to those that need a safe place to learn about and worship a truly great and active God in their lives. And I will pray for the “one” that needed whatever I wrote and found it on the day they needed it…and I’ll also pray that one day, I can real time encourage you or praise with you or give thanksgiving with you because you decided, too, that this was a safe place to share in God’s love.

To those that have come, and the multitudes that could come, I’m praying for you, for strength in your walk, for solidarity in your community, and for a love of Jesus that surpasses all understanding. Be blessed!