A couple of weeks ago, I was bummed out. I discovered that there had been a problem with the Enough Grace Ministries blog for, oh, about six months. I was disappointed. It appeared that about half of our blog’s subscribers hadn’t been getting notifications when new posts were published.
So, rats! Unknown circumstances interfered, and several folks didn’t get email notifications as they were expecting. For that, I am very sorry; however, this technology mishap prompted me to re-evaluate the ministry of blogging.
Why am I blogging?
Is blogging a part of God’s perfect plan for Enough Grace Ministries?
Has anyone been spiritually impacted by one of our blog posts?
Are the hours I spend in writing posts a God-honoring use of His time?
Are the monthly fees of maintaining a blog God’s desire for His monies?
Over the past couple of weeks, I have considered these questions. I don’t have the answers, but I am certainly taking this discussion to my Heavenly Father, seeking His heart on this matter. At this point, here is what I have been shown by Him. (By the way, God shows me many things, but I don’t always see.)
Psalm 94:11 – The LORD knows man’s thoughts; they are meaningless.
Isaiah 40:6-8 – A voice was saying, “Cry out!” Another said, “What should I cry out?” “All humanity is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”
You see, friend, I have been soberly and tenderly reminded of a truth. It is this … My thoughts, my ideas, my opinions, my suggestions are meaningless. They are a “mere breath.” They are vanity, futile, empty, and limited. Bluntly and accurately stated, my thoughts do not matter!
Isaiah’s passage reminds me that I am grass; I am withering and decaying. All of my goodness and accomplishments (if there are any) are like a flower, in that they fade away. There is ONLY one thing that remains and stands forever, and that is God’s Word! The Word of God is all we have that is eternal, unfailing, reliable, unchanging and constant.
Frankly, I’m sick of listening to me! (And you likely are too.) My thoughts mean nothing!
The only meaningful thing that any of us have to offer a lost and dying world is the timeless Word of God. The only reliable source we can present to a discouraged brother or sister in Christ is God’s supernatural Word. And there is no other remedy for my spiritual ailments than the Holy Word of God that will stand forever! My words, my thoughts, my suggestions – me! – all of it – is fading, futile, … meaningless! Oh, friend, may this psalm be our prayer:
Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statues.
Let my tongue sing of Your word,
For all my commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalms 119:169-176
Good morning Candise… do not be discouraged by what has happened with your blog… This just might be Satan’s way of trying to stop what you have to say! I can tell you that your birthday post opened up a great conversation for my girls and I… so you are making a difference with your writings… and you are definitely making a difference in their lives every week with youth.. thank you for all you do…whether it be in actions or in words you are a blessing to this family!
With much love and respect,
DeAnna
DeAnna,thanks for your sweet words of encouragement! I’m so glad you are reading and finding the blogs to be a blessing. I love your girls to pieces! May the Lord shine brightly through our lives! To Him be all the glory! Give M & A a hug for me!
Oh what a joy to know God is still working on our lives making us more like Him! To Him all the glory when our blogs, cars, bodies, etc. don’t work the way we want them to work (1 Corinthians 10:31). Sometimes I think the Lord just wants us to see our own hearts in how we respond to life’s challenges (disappointments). And yes I often don’t like what I see in my heart–but hey—–I am a work in progress! So I confess (when needed), and press on toward the goal! I often ask God to let me see my sin, like He sees my sin before I sin. What a joy serve Him as we waddle on through life trying to do our best in obedience to Him.