When I first started my blog, I quickly realized that this had been my “daydream” for a long time. I was finally living out what I believed was God’s plan for my life. I prayed for everything that I wrote to be nothing more than a reminder: a reminder to every single person who reads that they are valued, cared for and loved by an amazing and gracious God. I wanted to use the comfort that I had received from Him to comfort others – and that meant being vulnerable and open in areas that I didn’t necessarily wish to be.
But it didn’t come easily. I had the desire to begin writing four years ago. I battled God on it nearly every day and did everything but write. I lived in a maze of perpetual worry and fear: fear of disappointment, fear of being disliked and fear that I would never be “good enough.” No matter how close I thought I was to finding my way out, I took one wrong turn and felt completely lost again.
Lies filled my mind. Lies that this blog would be pointless. That people would think I was ridiculous for pursuing such a misunderstood ministry. That it would bring more discouragement than opportunity.
Yet, God has given me the ability to overcome. I chose the name Sparrows & Lily based on two of my favorite verses: Matthew 6:28-32 and Matthew 10:29-31. These scriptures have always reminded me that I am unconditionally cherished and bring hope to my heart in some of the most difficult seasons. These are the words that finally pushed me to trust instead of fear.
I now have the opportunity to love and share life with people that I’ve never met. To share Truth with many who are longing for hope. To listen to friends and strangers who just need someone to talk to.
Friends: What is the passion or dream that God has given you? What is on the other end of the rope that persistently tugs on your heart and draws you in again and again?
Is there a ministry or volunteer opportunity that you know you should be a part of?
Do you feel called to adopt, but fear the difficulty of it all?
Is there a career path that you know you should have taken, but are choosing to go the easier route?
As children of the King, we have His power to overcome these fears and the ability to succeed in whatever it is that He is calling us to. We have all been given a gifting. Whether it is encouragement, giving, leadership, serving, discernment – you name it – it takes active obedience to listen to His voice in regards to your calling and to pursue it.
The great thing is: all of this really has very little to do with you. Doesn’t that take some pressure off? He doesn’t need you, but He chooses to use you. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him.
And as I have grown to learn that it’s not about me, I have quickly realized that I need to be cautious when it comes to pursuing my goals. I want to ensure that these good dreams don’t become ultimate dreams, causing me to trample over the truly important things in my life.
Here are a few questions I often ask myself while working toward my goals:
1. Is my passion and pursuit of my dream in line with God’s word?
2. Am I keeping God and my family at the forefront or am I stealing valuable time from them?
3. Do I have to sacrifice my integrity in order to get where I want to go?
4. Am I remaining in prayer and keeping God’s name big and my name small?
I know that I have such a long way to go, and I still have so many dreams of my own, but the most freeing part of my journey has been this: I no longer have an answer to the question,
“What is something that you’ve always wanted to do, but never did?”
In all of your endeavors and in everything – as parents, as spouses, as friends – remember that He is God, He is good, He is in control – even of your failures – and He desires beautiful things for your life. He is strong where you are weak and He has never failed to know better than you. Today, let Him take you into uncomfortable territory. Pursue Him endlessly and make a decision to live out His calling for your life. <3
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
With Grace,
Lindsey
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This was a beautiful post! I felt called to start a blog so in April I started http://www.thatmamalove.com
I am still learning how to write better and sharing my true feelings and life on the blog! I have a passion for motherhood, holistic health and fashion. My blog provides me with that outlet to share all my passions with others!
Lindsay I am so happy to have met you on IG and hope to continue our friendship becasue you are an inspiration to me!
Xo Jenna
Hi Jenna! We sound very similar in regards to our passions and what we like to write about! 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words!! <3
I can totally relate. I have had my blog for 3-4 years and had never really taken it seriously out of fear. I was soooooooo afraid to write what was on my heart. I would write a post, put the link on Facebook right before bed and then I could not bear to look at it for the next 24 hours out of fear of what other people would think of me. I broke this fear the more I wrote. I also love fashion and I used to be so afraid to write about style and post photos of what I was wearing because again I was so afraid of what others thought of me. I would constantly ask myself, am I a Christian if I like clothes and spend money on them? Now when I post about clothes, faith or whatever I never feel that same fear. It didn’t go away right away but the more I pressed through the easier it became.
I cannot tell you how encouraging this is. It’s always been my dream to be a writer, to be creative, and to use that for God. I’ve been wondering so much about how i can go about doing that, what that would look like practically for me. I’m now in my final year of university, and really feeling the pressure to find a ‘career’ after graduation. On top of that, I’m getting married in July and will have a husband, bills and mortgage to pay, I’ll have responsibilities! It’s terrifying!! But also SUPER exciting. I want to pour my heart and soul into creating content for God, into spreading His love, His light, His grace and mercy and unwavering devotion to the far reaches of our planet. I feel so drawn to blogging because of this – the potential for God to allow someone to stumble across a post I’ve written and for that to impact them in just the way they need impacting.. It’s amazing.
This was an encouraging read, because we can all relate. I started my blog two weeks ago, and it’s far too easy to panic about not being good enough, not being successful, being unable to support myself through doing what I love. But what this post has helped me to realise is that when my eyes are fixed on God, when I’m following His calling, all of the pieces will just fall together, because it is His hand that is forming and leading my future.
Thank you again for this post, I wish you absolutely all of the best for your blogging career, your lovely little family, and your personal walk with God. You are a light in this world, and an inspiration to others who was to join you along the way!
Hi Lindsey,
so I am the one who’s been messaging you on IG (@simplyelegantpeony hopefully you remember me lol) on starting a blog and you helped me out so much even though I feel like I have annoyed you time and time again! I didn’t publish it yet because of fear of the criticism I would face. So often I have been bullied and pushed around for the things I have done or said and that fear overcame me again. I know God’s calling is for me to share my testimonies, to share God’s truth and light in my life to those around me because I have been avoiding it for years but He still calls me back but the only way I realized I can truly get my voice out there is by making a blog because maybe there are other girls, other mamas, other Christians struggling where I struggled and can’t overcome it but just need some encouragement in their lives..
I guess what I am trying to say is, reading THIS post encouraged me so much, I actually started crying while reading because I felt that fear was holding me back. You are such an inspiration and I thank God I found your blog. God bless you and your family! You brought back a sense of Hope to my life.