Make 2020 LOUD!

It's January 2020! A new year, a new decade, another day on the earth to praise our King :). Man, how we're blessed!

So, to be completely honest...I've been stuck with my blogging lately (it happens), and, in the new-year spirit, I tried a couple times to write up an inspiring mission statement to power me through. But when I try to draw up a plan, nothing comes to me, haha! Which actually feels like a nudge from God to wait on Him, because when a door isn't opening, it often means that it's not His will.

To the contrary, I've actually been hit several times with some really good messages about embracing the imperfection. Specifically, about not waiting until you're "perfect" or your work is "perfect" to share it. Andrew Peterson, in his book "Adorning the Darkness", wrote, 

"We're not invited into this because God needs us, but because he wants us. ... In the words of Laura Story, all creation's revealing his majesty. We're invited to join with all nature in manifold witness to his great faithfulness - and since creation is going to declare it either way, we might as well jump in with our half-finished songs and join the chorus." 

I also remember reading a blog post where the author said she hoped her post would make someone smile. And I remember thinking, what an awesome goal. Not a goal for followers, or views, or shares, but a goal to actually bless someone - just ONE person - with her words. 

This blog isn't anything crazy special. Someone else has already thought these thoughts, and probably written these words, too! But I was hit again with a quote by George MacDonald: 

"As the fir-tree lifts up itself with a far different need from that of the palm-tree, so does each man stand before God, and lift up a different humanity to the common Father. And for each God has a different response. With every man he has a secret - the secret of the new name. In every man there is a loneliness, an inner chamber of peculiar life into which God only can enter...a chamber into which no brother, nay, no sister can come. 

From this it follows that there is a chamber also - (O God, humble and accept my speech) - a chamber in God himself, into which none can enter but the one, the individual, the peculiar man - out of which chamber that man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made - to reveal the secret things of the Father." 

Remember, God doesn't need us, like Andrew Peterson pointed out. But for some reason, He wants us. Our individual gifts were woven into us so we could uniquely sing Jesus' glory. While there is only ONE truth about who God is, our individual minds can't ever contain a fraction of all He is, so He gives us knowledge and a perspective which we can use to edify the people around us. To use another quote from "Adorning the Darkness", 

"...then all I have to do is tell about my Lord and my God. Because I know him intimately, uniquely, it may be a revelation, in a sense, of the secret things of the Father. This is part of my calling - to make known the heart of God. And because he holds a special place in his heart for me and me alone (just as he holds a special place for you), my story stands a chance to be edifying to my sisters and brothers, just as your story, your insight, your revelation of God's heart, is something the rest of us need." 

Don't ever think your story isn't worth sharing. Some people are blessed with a huge platform, and thousands of people witness God in their life and listen to what they're learning. For most of us, this won't happen, but think for a second about all the people you DO come into contact with. Just because it isn't on Instagram, or with thousands of likes on YouTube, doesn't make your God-story any less powerful. Where God shows up, it's always amazing. 

Don't keep it hidden until you've polished it perfect. Don't wait to proclaim Jesus' goodness until you "feel right", or until the manuscript is spotless, or the speech is rounded. Just go and tell! Live out an overflow of what He's done! 

Make 2020 LOUD with praises!