PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• One of the biggest challenges for a Christian writer is the dreaded word, “platform.”
Every writer I know pretty much cringes at the term.
It feels contradictory to the call to write.
Speakers tend to feel the same way because they have to face the p-word too.
But it’s not about being a writer or a speaker.
We all have a God-assigned purpose and personal mission-field.
Our endlessly creative God gives each of us a unique set of gifts to achieve His call for our lives.
He may give us an audience of millions or an audience of dozens.
Whatever our circle of influence and whatever shape our individual calling takes, we ultimate serve an Audience of One.
And as long as we obey Him and follow His plan, the numbers don’t matter.
It’s a liberating statement to make as a writer.
(Whew! Take that, Platform!)
But my personal ministry doesn’t start and stop with my keyboard.
Our mission field isn’t defined by one adjective.
There are a lot of shapes and packages in which God will use us—writers, speakers, musicians, teachers, caregivers, parents, husband/wife, neighbor, friend, student, etc.
And what is amazing to me is that every person’s gifts are manifested in different ways and used to bless others in different ways.
In Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV, Paul wrote, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Let’s zero in on that phrase, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
My calling isn’t going to look exactly like yours, his, or hers.
And yours isn’t going to look exactly like mine or theirs.
God may have one person ministering in a very direct, bold manner.
He may use another person to minister through compassionate care in the medical industry.
He may ask another to minister as a ray of His goodness and light in a negative work environment.
Not every ministry is overt.
Consider John Maxwell whose ministry is leadership.
Or Dave Ramsey who ministers through financial guidance.
Or Chick-fil-A who ministers through great service and food.
Then we have people like Lysa TerKeurst who ministers through raw emotion.
All of these people and organizations are Christians with a calling and each one is handled differently.
What is your calling?
How can you serve and minister exactly where you are?
Could it be through compassionate leadership?
Could it be through acts of service?
Maybe you’re ministering with a toolbox in hand.
Whatever medium God uses for your ministry—the point is to be willing to be used and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
To be the one who others look at and wonder about what makes you different.
Today, as you pray, thank God for His plan and purpose for your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to use you and guide you…
To not feel the pressure to be anything other than who God has asked you to be to the circle He has called you to influence.
