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Being Used By God

June 01, 2022 THE MMA TEAM


”For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

and your ways are not my ways.

This is the Lord’s declaration.

For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 CSB

The truth is, if God you wants you, He’ll find you. No matter how hard you try to hide, He sees you and you can’t hide.

Years ago, I was involved in ministry at our church. It was a teaching ministry and I loved it! But as in most things, it ended. For one very big reason, we moved out of state. So, I thought I was done with that ministry.

A couple of years ago, I wrote a fiction book and published it. My main motivation for it was to use it to share the gospel. I never thought of it as a ministry. I didn’t start out thinking it was a ministry. I wrote a fiction book. I proved to myself that I could do it. It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed it a lot!

I wasn’t thinking about being in or a part of a ministry. I was writing fiction. Please let me be clear. I do not think that writing fiction is any less than anything else we can do for the Lord. Like anything, it’s what we do with what God has given us, that matters. If you write, write for the Lord. Write to please Him, both fiction and non-fiction.

Anyway, as I’m believing the lie that I’m not in ministry anymore, I’m sure God laughed and thought I was cute in my own declarations.

As a writer, we’re told to build a platform, build a following of readers, interact with fans. Being a bit of an introvert, this wasn’t easy. I really don’t enjoy talking about myself. And how do I interact with fans? I didn’t have any fans. No readers knew I existed. And I didn’t like the term “fan.”

So, I started a newsletter. I’m in control and no algorithm can stop me. Except, I still had to figure out what people wanted to hear from me. And I had to find people!

I struggled with why would anyone care what I had to say or what I had for breakfast or that I stubbed my toe on my way to the office this morning. (And a social media maven, I’m not!)

When my newsletter started out, it was lame and small. As I found ways to grow my newsletter, I needed content and retention. It still remained lame and random at best.

It didn’t take long for me to add a Scripture verse at the end of my newsletter. Then I tried adding a little encouragement along with the Scripture. But overall, nothing awe-inspiring. I could never think of what I should share. And I want to keep people opening my newsletter.

I tried sharing about my garden, and I shared about the time my boys went indoor skydiving. But really, how does that really help anyone? And I enjoy my garden and love my boys, but how far will that goand how much does anyone really want to hear about all that?

The reason I was involved in a teaching ministry years ago is because I love teaching the Word. I have a deep passion and love for the Word.

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”   Hebrews 4:12 CSB

The word of God is living! It is alive and ready and able to breathe life into His children.

I finally gave up and let go. The very thing I thought I shouldn’t do was the very thing I should do. Before I knew it, my passion started showing, and I figured out what my newsletter was about—The Lord and encouraging my readers in Him!

And now I’m back in ministry. It looks a little different, but here I am, writing weekly inspirational devotionals and  fiction.

I pray (and hope) the Lord continues to use me in the lives of those who read my works.

And I pray I stay out of His way.

It is only by His grace that I am able to do anything, and it takes my breath away that He uses a sinner like me.

We truly serve an awesome God!

“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe”. Deuteronomy 10:17 CSB

Don’t be afraid to be used by God. He has a plan and purpose for your life, and it’s far better than anything you or anyone else can come up with!

by His grace,
Jodi

You can connect with Jodi on IG or her website 

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1 comment

  • Sue

    Jun 07, 2022

    Thank you for your writing. You are always so sincere. I enjoy your newsletter – it is one I always read and always find it uplifting. It is a great ministry :)


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