I don’t believed in luck, but I am a firm believer in divine appointments. As I have stated a number of times in my posts, I did not willingly jump into the world of blogging. In fact, the exact opposite happened – I fought God for months, telling Him how unqualified I was to write anything. Yet He continued to speak gently to my heart until I responded.

As with all other promptings from Him, I have been blessed by relinquishing control and allowing Him to lead. Because He is leading, I never know where I will end up. Today, although I am at one point in my journey with Him, I know that each day brings something new. Therefore, years down the road, I will be at a completely different place in my walk with the Lord. And by then, He may have called me to do something totally different than what He is calling me to do today.

Many years ago when I was in high school, my English IV teacher collected my poetry assignments and kept one poem the entire school year. Honestly, I thought she had lost it, or thrown it in the garbage. Near the end of the year she handed me an envelope. Inside was the poem I had written along with a Creative Writing Certificate of Achievement for that poem. Two separate times this year, poems I wrote were published in a church magazine, The Gem, and distributed to numerous congregants. I believe God used my teacher, Mrs. Rhodes, for such a time as this.

Another area God has asked me to follow His leading is in the area of writing devotionals. I never saw this coming, so I was blown away when the first devotional God laid on my heart was actually published. It’s been an honor to be part of an on-line devotional community with http://www.christiandevotions.us/, and a previous series of God Stories anthologies (4, 5 & 6).

During the past few weeks, two new opportunities have come my way, and I am thrilled to be part of both ministries. The first is with B&H Publishing and Lifeway Bloggers – a team of bloggers who review books published by B&H, and then post the book review on-line to various social media sites. As part of this blogging team, I not only get to read some amazing books by some amazing authors, but also receive an extra copy of each book to give away. Two days ago the first book arrived for me to review – Fervent by Priscilla Shirer. I look forward to diving into this book, writing a review, and later this month, hosting my first book review give away.

The second opportunity is also with Lifeway ministries as part of the launch team for a new Bible study (OpenYourBible) that will be released in early November. I count it an honor to be part of the social media team helping promote this new study. As posts with #SRTOpenYourBible float across your social media sites, those posts are part of the launch teams efforts to spread the word about this amazing new Bible study.

Had I continued to turn a deaf ear to God’s prompting, I would not be part of any of these ministries. I feel truly blessed that God has made it possible for me to join efforts with others to help further His kingdom.

Following Christ’s promptings can be a bit unnerving because we don’t always feel qualified.  Moses even wrestled with God about the calling God placed on his life. “O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I’m not now, even after you have spoken to me, for I have a speech impediment” Exodus 4:10 TLB.

God assured Moses that when He calls someone to a task, He has every aspect of that calling covered. “‘Who makes mouths?’ Jehovah asked him. ‘Isn’t it I, the Lord? Who makes a man so that he can speak or not speak, see or not see, hear or not hear? Now go ahead and do as I tell you, for I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say’” Exodus 4:11-12 TLB.

Has God been asking you to relinquish your talents to him and allow him to use you in ways you never imagined to help further his kingdom? Are you turning a deaf ear because you are afraid? Or feel inadequate? Or lack resources?

From these verses in Exodus, we are reminded that God doesn’t call the qualified, but he does qualify the called.

Join in the conversation.  I’d love to hear from you.

Jill

Featured photo image is compliments of Morguefile.