Jeremiah 1:17-19

 ¹⁷ “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. ¹⁸ Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. ¹⁹ They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

When God speaks to you, do you listen?  Better yet, do you act on what He is telling you?  This is something I have a hard time with and lately, it seems that God has been speaking to me alot.  I’m not exactly sure what to do with all that he is saying, but the more I look at things, the more it looks like I’m supposed to be focused on facing my biggest fear; rejection.  As a writer, you’d think I’d have had my fair share of experience in this arena.  Especially if you have read anything I’ve written. 🙂 

The truth is, I have the hardest time dealing with the idea of someone not liking what I have to say.  For this reason, I hold back alot of what God puts on my heart.  I generally try not to offend people with my outlandish ideas about what is right and wrong, but sometimes, like last night during a discussion about the healthcare reform issue on Facebook, I simply can’t help myself.  I have to say what I have to say and hope for the best.  I’m not out to hurt anyone, but some people are so easily offended that it’s going to happen at one point or another.   For example, someone posts a status about how much they dislike our president.  I get a feeling like I’m supposed to step up and say something to help them understand why they need to give the president time to work out the problems he’s trying to work out.  I’m not sure why I’m compelled to speak on President Obama’s behalf.  I didn’t like the guy myself for a long time, but it became painfully clear to me after watching the debates and other interviews on television that he was probably the best person for the job.  In any case, I’m not sure why I feel strongly about speaking out for Obama.  I post something on my status and a few minutes later, I get responses.  Some people like what I have to say.  Some people, because they are only wired to hate, have to post a comment about how ineffective or sneaky Obama is.  Truthfully, it wouldn’t matter who I was defending on Facebook.  The outcome would be the same.  Some would like it.  Some would not.  Plain and simple. 

The point I’m trying to make is that when God puts it on your heart to speak out in defense of something, even as seemingly insignificant as the unfair treatment of your neighbor’s pet, you really should step up and say something.  Someone won’t like it, someone will.  Someone won’t understand you, but someone else will.  And this one thing you say might help another person to make a right choice in their life.  This is why God gives us prompts.  He gives us a word for others and hopes that we won’t be too afraid or too lacking in faith to deliver that word. 

I’m practicing this more and more each day.  Even though I don’t want to be known as that crazy woman that always has a jacked-up opinion about something, I know that if God puts it on my heart to say it then it must need to be said.  And that’s enough motivation for me to talk for the rest of my days.  😉

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!

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