Why did you choose your career path? Why did you stay when you felt like going? Why did you run when everything within you was shouting you should just stand still? Why do you say yes when in your heart you really what to say no? Why do you do ________(
write, craft, sing, blog or whatever your that is)? Can you answer the why? I know Nike coined the phrase just do it. But is just doing it enough?
Simon the sorcerer (see Acts 8:9-23) found himself turning over a new leaf. Like many in Samaria, he believed the good news, was baptized, and began following Philip as he journeyed throughout sharing the gospel. His actions looked like all the other believers. Simon was doing all the right activities that have identified as a Christ follower. But his true heart was exposed when he requested to buy the power to lay hands on people and they receive the Holy Spirit. Perhaps it was desire to live in the glory of his former fame that lead him to make such a rash request. You see he was accustomed to commanded the attention of others through his magic tricks. So maybe just maybe he missed the limelight since now his audience was enthralled with the message of the Kingdom.
I have talked before about a good thing is not always the right thing for us to be doing. It’s rather easy to stay on the course of least resistance—to keep doing a thing because we always have but as I reflected on Simon’s account, I’m reminded that whys really do matter. Alisa at Faith Imagined wrote a refreshingly honest and thought-provoking post, Finding Humility in Blogging, about the why of blogging for a Christian.
The Holy Spirit will wrestle with a blogger until he/she realizes that the blog is a tool used to serve people. Platforms, influence, recognition and advantages can be a side effect of blogging, but the central emphasis of a Christian blog should be to serve others. Only desert writing can provide this insight. –Alisa Hope/Faith Imagined
If you have extra moment, I encourage you read the her post. Do you have your whys cemented in your heart and mind? Have you drifted away from your original reason for doing that particular activity? Even when we discover we’ve drifted off course, all hope is not lost. We can get back on track again. It’s not enough for any of us to just follow the crowd.
What things have you read or heard this week that has resonated with you?
Alisa’s quote is exactly why I am still blogging today. The why was originally to establish a platform for me. Now the why is to support others.
And I enjoy doing that so much more!
And you do a great job of supporting others Alex.
The Why Matters. I love this! And I totally agree. I am hopping over to check out Alisa’s post. Thank you for sharing these insights. Blessings!
Blessings to you Angel. I’m sure you will enjoy Alisa’s post.
Amen!! “Why” Yes why I blog is because I started by writing my past pain in my paper journals…I have many of them. Because of the pain as a child, relationships, etc was very hurtful…the anger, the bitteness that I carried in my heart doing my years. I knew nonthing about blogging until some years ago I saw this word “Blogging” so I did my own reseach…and it was amazing. So my blogs became my Journey!! to share with others who had been carrying hurts, and pain, unforgiveness in thier heart from the past. There are truly many hurting souls in the world. Sharing it was Christ Jesus that has been doing my healing. Today He is still healing me from present journeys that I encounter daily. So that is my “Why” for me blogging to share with others that they are not the only ones that has been though things in life. And to encourage them that their is a way of “HEALING” and that is the HELP of Christ Jesus. You cant do it yourself…it will have to be with the LOVE of Christ Jesus to HELP you though it. Thanks Wanda for this message, I truly thank Christ. Because many people ask me why do I blog, and why do I take the time to do it…This is what I share with them. Is it worthy it? the answer is “YES” Because people need to know the Goodness of Christ in what He can do for one’s life. Amen!
Love, love that you have a clear why Sis. Betty. It’s knowing our why that keeps us doing those things in which Christ has entrusted us with even when we don’t see the ripple effects of them.
Such an appropriate question. WHY? It is so good to read this now, since I spent most of today considering that very word. I was watching a home improvement show earlier and a the mason commented that most people don’t understand WHY the motar is put between bricks and do it wrong. The motar’s real function is not glue. He said motar is not used to keep the bricks together (as novices think), but to keep them apart. This seemed odd to me, but he went on to explain that the motar is put between the bricks because if there is ever any shifting in the construction it would be easy to remove and replace only the bricks that need repair (as opposed to tearing down the whole thing). I realized as I listened to him that every part of that house had to be put together with a WHY and not a “just do it.” Now, your words are reminding me, for the second time today, that what I do must have a WHY. I plan to spend this weekend getting my WHYs in order.
Can’t say I have ever given much thought to the mortar between bricks but I definitely would have assumed it was for the purpose of gluing them together. When we have our whys off, we can’t help but mishandle some things.
I was unable to comment on Alisa’s post, but it is very touching and honest, and it ends with one of my favorite verses. Why I started blogging has certainly changed over the years, and being able to share with and receive from others has kept me in a place of humility. I am always thankful for the encouragement and grace that I find on this blogging journey.
I love the transparency in Alisa’s writing. My reasons for blogging started as impression from God but never did I imagine that others would read anything I wrote. It was more of a way to capture what insights I was gathering along my desert journey with Jesus. But blogging has been such a blessing.
Another great post Wanda. This one really resonated with me…about work, blogging and other things too. Thanks for the link to Alisa’s blog, I will check it out.
Thank you Susan. It’s important to have the clear why for all areas of lives.
I have asked that myself many times in the past several years, (in regards to work, organizations,activities) and I am always reminded that it is something enjoyed and in the end blessed by God to whom I am so thankful to. He provides me with the ability and knowledge to perform in all areas of my life, those things He has put in my path.
Blessings Wanda…great post!
Denise
Thank you Denise. I have found that some things I enjoyed in a certain season of life haven’t always be meant for me to participate in at other seasons of my life.
I do not know Why I blog….it has changed over the years though. This is a thought provoking post since I keep asking myself this question
For blogging as well as other things, I think our whys can change over the course of time. Yet, I’m finding out more and more that without a clear why, we often mishandled things/people/assignment or misstep altogether.