Warning: This blog post contains spoilers for the February 14th, 2016 mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead, so if you have not yet watched it, and plan to watch it, read no further. And also, quit slacking on that ish and update yo self, quick.
Last Sunday, I published my inaugural blog post, “You’ve Got It”. As soon as I hit the “publish” button, I was immediately flooded with fear. I heard my own voice – or perhaps the devil’s – and listened to it, instead of listening to God’s voice. And this is what I heard…
“Your writing sucks.”
“You have no original ideas.”
“Your first post was sloppy.”
“No one is going to read this shit.”
“Too simplistic.”
“Too hard to understand.”
“Not going to turn anyone to Christ.”
I had to take control of my thoughts, fast. And how do I do that? By journaling. By writing. I gain control over my thought life in a fraction of a second when I write. If I am stressed out, panicked, worried, flooded with negativity, all I need to do to rein myself back in, is write. Sometimes praying in my head just doesn’t cut it. I need to see the words scrawled out on paper. That’s what gives me clarity and calm. And that’s when I realize that my writing truly is a gift… how amazing is it that He has given me the ability, skill, and passion for the one thing that grounds me?!
I don’t know about you, but I’m mind-blown right now, because this realization has hit me as I write this very blog post! I know He is up there right now, looking down at me, so satisfied at how He has worked in me tonight.
Back to the point. I have no need to worry about whether my writing is shitty, uninspired, unoriginal, and unavailing of anything, because my words come from Him. I have God-given talent and skill that is going to shine through at the right time. I already have what I need to be successful in my mission for my blogging. I don’t need to ask Him for it.
And now, we turn to The Walking Dead – my absolute favorite TV show, ever. For those of who you have never seen the show, have no idea what it’s about it, or don’t like it: please crawl out from underneath your rock and/or watch some real television. Thanks. Moving on. Basic premise: the world (or at least the south-eastern part of the continental United States) is overtaken by the zombie apocalypse, and a small faction of un-zombified humans struggle to survive. Season 6 finds the survivors huddled up in a small town, Alexandria, that up until recently had been protected by a wall that kept “the walkers” and other undesirable human beings out. Now Alexandria is overrun with zombies, and a group of terrified residents are huddled inside the town chapel, praying for God’s grace and mercy.
All of a sudden, Father Gabriel, who had never before lifted a finger against another person (whether alive or un-dead), gets up and moves toward the door, machete in hand. A man asks, “Father?”
Gabriel turns to the terrified people and says, “We’ve been praying together – praying that God will save our town. Well, our prayers have been answered. God will save Alexandria, because God has given us the courage to save it ourselves.”
He then proceeds to join other residents who, up until that moment possessed significantly more balls than him, and begins whacking down the hordes.
As I watched that scene unfold, I got so excited – not only because I was happy that Gabriel finally found his balls and got his hands dirty, with God backing him, no less – but because I thought this was a perfect example of the concepts of my blog post in action!
Some things that we need are not yet in our physical possession, but God will bring it to us. For example: an unexpected expense arises. You have no idea how you are going to stretch what’s in your bank account to cover it… but you don’t worry, because God is going to get the funds to you, one way or the other. Your boss calls and asks you to work some overtime – there ya go. Did you win the lottery? Nope. But did God provide a way for you to handle that unexpected expense like a boss? Yes, you bet He did.
Other things that we need are intangible, i.e. not money in your bank account, or a new car. It’s those qualities and skills that we need in order to be successful and to fulfill our God-given destinies. For example: a way with words. Or maybe even a way with a machete.
Today, thank God for clarity! Thank Him for courage. Thank Him for whatever it is that you’re good at.
God, Growth & Gainz 