I often wonder why God put such a love for words and story on my heart. I’ve always loved books and often escaped into them as a child, preferring the fictional worlds and easy friendships they offered to my own reality. A shy homebody, adventures through story were the only adventures I was willing to take.
When it comes to words, I’ve done just about everything. I’ve journaled and blogged, I’ve written poetry, I’ve crafted short fictional stories and penned portions of memoir. I’ve written press releases and financial reports, annual reports and radio scripts. I’ve been mentioned in acknowledgements of beautiful books, edited eBooks, and self-published a book.
As much as I’ve always enjoyed the long format of a great fiction book, I’ve started to develop an equal passion for micro-content and social media. I love learning where words come from, what they originally meant, and their significance in a passage.
Words have changed my life. But I still sometimes wonder…why? What is it about the plan God has for me that gives me a passion for the humanities? Do I feel most connected to God when I’m creating because He is the ultimate creator? Am I swept to the foot of the cross and feel the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit through worship usic because He finds beauty in it as well? If I believe we’re all created in the image of God (and I do), what parts of Him are reflected in me?
He loves words. Loves them so much that He spoke the world into being with them. Proclaimed promises, named Himself, healed, comforted, and was victorious, declaring with His own words “It is finished.” God loves words so much He gave us an entire book of them – His Good News – to learn from and share to the ends of the earth.
So if God loves words, and He built it in me before I was even born to love words, am I a good steward of this gift He’s given me? Do I use my words to build others up, rather than tear them down? Do I share the Gospel or do I share gossip? Am I known for being encouraging or discouraging?
Am I proud of the awesomeness of a God who was, and is, and is to come, or am I proud of myself?
It’s a slow journey, this finding my “thing.” Sometimes I think I see it so clearly – the why and how and who and when. But most of the time? Most of the time I feel like I’m doing ‘okay’ at everything but excelling at nothing, fighting constantly with my insecurities that what I do doesn’t matter.
Maybe you need this pep talk today as much as I do.
What you do matters because the God who gave you the talent to do it matters. He wastes nothing. Even when we can’t see a clear path, He will guide our steps. You will not fail if you let Him lead. Be humble, love God, and serve others. Use your gifts the best way you know how today – believing that it’s enough.
Your gifts are enough. You are enough.
Maybe you have big writing dreams – today, do something small to start. Send a card, write a note, put pen to paper. Maybe you have big speaking dreams – today, speak encouragement and love into someone’s life. Speak the words that make a difference even if it’s to an audience of one.
You can do something today with the gifts God has given you, even if you don’t see the whole path.
I still don’t know all the answers, and the path less clear than ever before. I don’t have it all together – but I know this: I love words. So I’ll do my best today to be a good steward of the ones God gives me.
Marie Gregg says
I needed this. Thank you.
Frances says
Wow. That part where you said you feel like you’re, “doing ‘okay’ at everything but excelling at nothing” is just absolutely stealing thoughts from my mind. I loved this post, thank you for your encouraging words!
Angela Sangalang says
Love the quote from OUAT. Just saying 🙂
Tara Ulrich says
Crystal, I absolutely loved this post! Ever since I was little, I have had a thing for words too. My mom has said that I was a kid who didn’t ask for toys but rather pen and paper! I always want my words to be given to God’s glory.
Marcy Hanson says
I have been praying this ALL WEEK. Am I living up to what he has given me? Am I meeting his desires or chasing my own? Am I wasting a gift? Thank you for this encouragement, Chrystal!
Lisanne says
Thank you for this truth. I have started and edited and almost trashed a post about my mother. Because of your interpretation of writing, I will
not let this idea go. If I am successful in penning a story that is honest and true ( this is my barrier, how to be honest about my childhood in a redemptive way) I will share with you via Twitter. Much love, in Christ.
Lisa
Crystal says
Looking forward to reading it when you do 😉 xoxo