When I was younger – probably 2nd or 3rd grade – I used to LOVE writing. I would come home from school everyday and write. I would write poems, and songs, and stories and anything that came to my mind….I would write. There was something about putting my words on paper and seeing them all together, creating them into something that was more than floating words in my mind, that just felt right.
I loved stories so much that I would unashamedly line up all of my stuffed animals (30+ y’all – stuffed animals were also a love of mine) and I would read them storybooks and tell them stories of my own that I made up. I would even go so far as to use different accents for each of the characters I was portraying, and I may or may not have dressed up a time or two….I was the real deal y’all. Top notch storyteller. $10 per showing, thank you very much.
When I was younger, I used to have this fearlessness of pursuing writing and storytelling. I enjoyed this passion so much that I didn’t care what others thought (or overheard me saying “Mr. Bear, if you don’t stop giggling with Mr. Penguin, I will separate you two from story time!”).
My love for writing and storytelling was so big that nothing distracted me from it, because I was so focused on doing what I loved. I was so fulfilled and satisfied with what made me happy.
Then as I got older, things changed. I began to critique myself harshly for my writing. I began to compare my stories to those of others, and I always saw mine as failing – as not being good enough. I became insecure about storytelling and writing. I no longer allowed myself to enjoy this passion, because I was so distracted with believing my words were worthless; a waste of time.
When I began nannying and babysitting late in high school and into college, I would always end the bedtime routine with the kids by reading stories. And when the stories grew old (reading “Goodnight Moon” 37 times), I would make up a story for my kids while tucking them in bed. The first time I made up a story on the spot, I was SO nervous! Y’all, I was telling a story to a 5 year old, yet I was FEARFUL because I was still believing the lies of my past that said my creativity was not good enough.
But you know what? My kids LOVED my stories. I always included them as main characters, and still to this day I continue to make up stories for the kids I watch. I make up stories throughout the day because they love imagining themselves as a pirate, or doctor, or astronaut etc. And seeing their joy is so worth it!
So here I am. I am pursuing my dream of writing once again. I am picking up my pen and paper (my laptop and Microsoft Word, haha) and going after my passion of writing and storytelling. I am no longer buying into the lies. I am believing the truth the Lord declares on my life and living with purpose.
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I say all this because I think we all have passions and dreams in our hearts that we may have once pursued, or may have never pursued, and it’s time that we start living out that dream. It’s time that we face the lies that the world and the enemy have told us. The lies that come against you and attack you on every level, the lies that fight to hold you back from the calling that God has placed on your life. Did you know that? You. Have. A. Purpose. A uniquely created, calling for you to fulfill that God ordained for you. God didn’t just create you; He created you in HIS image with a purpose in mind.
“So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV
And you have the opportunity to step into that calling or not. This is the freedom of choice. You can seek the Lord and live out the amazing plans He has for your life, or live your life without knowing the Lord. You have the choice for what you want your life to be.
“You have been set apart as holy to the LORD your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” Deuteronomy 14:2 NIV
So which do you choose? Do you choose to seek out the greater calling for your life, one that God has designed specifically for you – or choose to live without ever really discovering that purpose?
HEAR ME OUT….
This blog isn’t meant to discourage you – my purpose in writing this is for you to realize that you didn’t just stumble upon my blog today. There is a reason you are reading this right now (and if you made it this far, congratulations – I tend to ramble on…). Don’t just mindlessly skim over the words and carry on about your day. Please reread what I have written and believe me when I say YOU HAVE A PURPOSE.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Because when you fully step into the life that God has planned for you, I believe you will become fully alive. Your spirit will be fully awakened, and that joy and love will spread like wildfire – it’s contagious!
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11 NIV
So choose life. Choose to live abundantly. Choose to live with purpose. Choose Jesus.
