Don’t Get taken on the Ride!

I am officially two weeks into blogging and social media and already I am learning a thing or two in how I want to approach it.  This past week I have been focusing a lot of my time on instagram because of the ability to reach so many people. Gaining followers takes a lot of time and research and I’ve been taking the steps to guarantee success. Everything has been lining up ….everything that is, except for the one thing I value most—being a wife and mother. As I strive my efforts towards this new business venture my focus on my family is lacking.  This entire week I have been lost on my phone. I haven’t been able to sit down to just play a game with the kids or relax because of the overwhelming pressure to keep up. That is when I just had to put the phone down and stop.

As I began my time out,  I had to go back to the basic reason I started this blog. The reason I started writing, was because I felt like God wanted me to share my story and to connect. So many individuals have been abused sexually, physically or verbally…perhaps all the above. Some are going through health problems or an unplanned pregnancy. Others are just seeking to find some truth in motherhood/marriage and could use a honest faith based perspective. Being that I have either lived through these situations or I am enduring them now, I can shed some light on my experiences giving hope in places where hope may seem scarce. That is why I am doing this!

I did not create this blog so I could be vain. By posting perfect photos of myself all day long and telling you how great I am. That is not me. Yet, I will be honest with you…As a human I do get caught up in this ride for a moment or two before the Holy Spirit convicts me and I have to STOP! Why do we play this game over and over again? We know fame, money, populariy will never bring real happiness. Yet we all are guilty of chasing after some aspect of it at one point or another.

This weekend I really have been processing about why I want to do this and how I want to “advertise,” for my blog. And let me tell you my secret formula.. Instead of setting myself up for success I will be doing the opposite by limiting my time on social media. I had the privledge of watching an amazing devotional (it’s actually on my Facebook page) the speaker was talking about how we define success by broken worldly standards. She than compared our view of success to God’s view. I can honestly say I felt like God was directing the entire message towards me. It’s through this message I was reminded, that as long as I am seeking after Gods will for my life and am faithful in the pursuit, than I am successful. God doesn’t care about popularity —He cares about faithfulness.

Ironic that my blog is called the Faith Based Heart, and God is still showing me what it means to be faithful. I am a success in my Father’s eyes just by posting on my blog regardless if anyone reads it or not. I am bringing my God delight and joy just by trusting and doing. It is through trust great things can happen for He is a great God. He will use me accordingly for His purpose. I do not need to try to define greatness by my standards but through God. Allowing Him to use my story how He sees fit. By surrendering to His ideal of greatness I have tremendous freedom. My worth is not dictated by a following but who I follow. I can prioritize sharing God’s word not only through my blog but in the other ways He has called me to spend my time and life as well. Do you see how overwhelming simple it is to live in unison with Christ? It’s a magical journey to fully surreder all insecurity, doubt, and fear. To simply trust in His plan, is joyous!

I will be writting a new blog post three times a week. Aside from that I will have freedom to spend the time I desire with my family by playing with my kids, cooking meals, cleaning our home, leading bible study, homeschooling, etc! I am on no one else’s itenary of have tos or should dos. I am freed by my creator and He will make my paths straight. I hope you find peace and solitude knowing you don’t have to prove yourself as long as you are doing your limited part. God will step in and make it beyond what you could have ever imagined.

hugs,

Julie Black