When People Pay Attention!

O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! Psalm 8:1-9 NET

When people pay attention to us, they help to build and promote our reputation–whether it ends up being a positive one or a negative one. I think I remember an adage about, “in order to get people to recognize your worth, any publicity is good publicity.” I probably didn’t quote that exactly right, but the intent is there.

Where am I going with this? It would appear that my efforts (though minuscule) to gain recognition for my books, were nothing compared to the recognition I’m now getting for simply having an opinion and expressing it through news threads. Wow! I’ve already gathered over 200 pages of data–responses to comments I’ve made on social media. That to me is fascinating! I never knew having an opinion could ignite such a plethora of responses–some supporting, but most–absolute vitriol.

But here’s the thing–I recognized a few years ago that when people can hide behind anonymity of social media, they feel free to let their true natures rule their fingers. Now, I have no idea who these people are–on a personal level–but I’ve come to enjoy the exchanges. For those who agree with what I say, I feel I gain a friend, but for those who engage in name-calling and subtle threats–I’m continually amazed that little ole me can rile a person up the way I apparently do. So, instead of engaging in the hate–and I never do–I’ll either question what they say or simply thank them for giving me relevance. Those who resent my comments hate my direct responses to them and I gain more data for the book I’ve decided to write about the, Hate That Hides Behind The Anonymity of Social Media.

On all of my social media accounts–because I promote my books–my face is not hidden (except on one as an experiment), my profile states accurately what I believe and my purpose for writing, and I’m not afraid to express my opinions about a news article. That’s the thing–I express opinions about news articles, not individuals–not even the news outlet–and people go crazy. I never knew I had that much power! Well, now that I do, I think I’m going to do everything I can to exploit the situation and give God glory in the process!

I recognize that when we are obedient to God–though some may disagree–we never know what He has in store for us–the blessing from being obedient. Now it would appear that I don’t have to concern myself with marketing my books, I’ll just keep expressing my opinions and lead people to my books. What an awesome God we serve! Through the expression of my honest opinions, He is opening the door to a reputation (good/bad publicity), an avenue that I might not have explored or discovered on my own.

Lord, I thank You for speaking to my heart, guiding my thoughts and my fingers and for all You can and will accomplish through an act of obedience.

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Good Works Completed!

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 1:4-6 NIV)

Relevance! When we look at what all those God inspired to write–we must ask ourselves or at least be willing to see–the relevance of what was said then to our lives–now.

This letter to the “church” (Body of Believers) in Philippi was to thank them and encourage them to keep doing the good work that God had placed in their hearts, helping them to realize that whatever He purposed for them to do, would be done–in His timing–even if it meant completion when Christ returns.

There are a number of people right now–some may even be reading this post–who have been inspired by God to do something good and wonderful, but obstacles rose and knocked them off track. That’s okay. The obstacles are going to rise every time we start doing what God has purposed us to do. But with prayer, the courage of our convictions and determination, and our faith in God, we will accomplish all He wants us to do!

Whether we know it or not–there are people praying for Believers everywhere. We pray that no heart becomes feint or allows doubt to deter them in whatever work God has given them. We pray them strengthened by the power of Holy Spirit. We pray hearts will hear Him when He speaks so we’ll know how to overcome those obstacles. We pray for wisdom in recognizing when the enemy has attempted to erect a wall of opposition and rebellion against God and the work He has put in our hearts. We pray for all to understand and use the gifts God has given us to finance all He has given us to do. We have no need to “beg” others to finance the plans God has given us. He has equipped us to accomplish all we need to do with the gifts He has poured into us.

Not every person’s gift is the same and it should not be, but all the gifts are given to complement all we are told to do. Some are gifted with musical ability to accompany those with voices who will praise and worship Him. Some are gifted with the ability to teach–explaining those things that others may not understand. Some are gifted with the ability to write–encouraging others by many venues to continue believing in God or in leading people to Jesus Christ. And the pool of gifts overflow our needs. Our abilities are limited only to the extent we have faith to move out in them.

“According to our faith, it will be unto us.” Whatever we have faith to do, we will succeed in that area. Whatever good works God has given us to do, when we move out in faith, ready to tackle every obstacle with our courage and faith in Him, that good work will be completed in God’s timing. Our job is to hear and obey and allow Him to be God.

Is there a good work that God has put on your heart to do? Know that we’re praying for all He has given to all Believers to be accomplished, hearts strengthened, obstacles moved or torn down, and courage renewed in all you do. Stand firm in what you have been called to do and know the good works will be completed.