Last week I had the opportunity attend a Christian writer’s conference in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. It was a privilege to be surrounded by people filled with a passion to serve the Lord through the avenue of writing. While I was there, I felt a peace from God assuring me that He wants to continue to awaken my writer’s heart. There were a lot of things that resonated with me and a lot of wonderful insight that I brought home with me.
One of the keynote speakers at the conference talked a little about what God’s purpose is for those of us who have been called to write. He explained that God wants us to write because He wants to spend time with us, create with us, and develop intimacy with us. And of course that concept is not limited to just writers.
That message resonated with me because as a wife, a mom, a homemaker, and a writer, I can see how God is using each one of these areas to further develop the relationship I share with Him. And the more connected I am to Him, the better I can make a positive difference in the lives of those around me. Sometimes I’m in such a rush to complete a task, to get something published, to overcome a parenting obstacle, to see the final result—but God desires for me to embrace the process and not miss what He’s trying to do in me along the way.
God will bring our calling into fruition as we allow His timing to unfold in His time and as we allow His plan to unfold in His way.
God wants to do something in us as we tap into discovering what it is that He has called us to do. He desires to teach us, to shower us with His love, to heal us, to draw us closer to Him, and to reveal truth to us. He also wants to do something through us as we reach out to help others and make a positive impact on this world.
Another thing that resonated with me at the conference was the word JOY. One thing I’ve felt over the past two years as I’ve embraced my writer’s heart (and also the roles of being a wife and mom)…is joy. Not that every moment has been easy, but I feel content more than ever before. Something comes alive in us when we discover that God created us with purpose and that He wants to use us as a shining light in a dark world.
Another speaker at the conference shared this quote:
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” ~Fredrick Buechner
There’s joy when we embrace what we are meant to do, and when we realize that the deep passion God placed within us is meant to collide with a world that desperately needs us to share that passion. We are the vessel through which God wants to share His message with the world. Through us, He wants to breath life into the darkest places of the world. Through us, He wants to bring hope to the hurting and lost souls. Through us, He wants to spread His love like a wildfire that won’t stop burning.
We are the ones He’s chosen to use to get His message out to a world that craves something better. And no matter how much the enemy wants to deceive us into believing otherwise, our world is longing to hear the truth about who God is and how deeply He loves each of us.
We can trust the One who has called us to do great works for His Kingdom. He will do mighty things in us and through us as we yield to His plans for our lives.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
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Pocketful of Motherhood 
Well put Hannah…and really happy for you that you were able to go to that conference!
Thanks Lori! And I’m glad I was able to go too.
Oh I am so envious about the writers conference in Colorado – what a beautiful area to have that! You write so beautifully, will you tell us what you are writing about? You have so many talents to choose from. My first non-fiction work is coming out within another couple of months and I am so excited! It’s entitled, “Life’s Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese . . .” (Nutritional and life lessons God teaches us) Non-fiction I find, is so much harder than fiction. Take care and blessings sent to you,
Thanks so much Ellie! My husband’s parents won me a pass to go to the conference so I’m grateful to them for that and also to God for orchestrating the whole thing. I feel very blessed that I got to go. That’s wonderful about your non-fiction piece…please let me/us know when it comes out, I would love to read it!!
In addition to what I share here on this blog, one of my deep passions is to help women to become secure in Christ (and I’ve thought about starting a separate site that addresses that topic more specifically). I’m in the very beginning stages of writing my first non-fiction book called, “Reclaiming the Crown of Beauty.” It addresses the topic of body image and it is all about helping women to embrace their true identity as daughters of the King. It’s a near to my heart topic because of my own personal journey, so I’m excited to see where God will take me with it. Thanks again for the encouragement! You really brightened my day.
What a great name for the book! And what an excellent ministry. If you ever want to “audience- test” a blurb from your book, I would love to help you and post a guest blog in the future from you. I think you understand what my ministry is – all about the mental. physical and spiritual aspects of health and that would fall under the Spirit. Please stay in touch! Blessings,
I will definitely stay in touch and thanks so much for the kind offer! I seriously might take you up on that as I dig into writing my book more. You have a wonderful ministry and I do think it relates to the topic of my book. Blessings to you as well!
What a wonderful time!
And JOY…I know just what you mean – I have found such joy in encouraging others in the last few years. I love writing. Love the blogging platform!
Thanks Valerie, you are such an encouragement to so many of us!! You are so welcoming and kind to all, and I enjoy reading your blog. I really love to write as well and all that the blogging platform has to offer. Thanks for all you do!
So are you! I am so glad we met. 😀
Thanks and me too! 🙂
Hi Hannah,
What a beautiful and encouraging message. Thank you for sharing. I’m really struggling with my calling and my career right now so it’s very timely.
May God continue to bless you can bring you joy!
Lots of love, Liz
Sent from my mobile; please pardon any brevity.
Thank you for the encouragement Liz! Even just that you are longing and searching to connect to your calling, is really significant and I know God hears and values that. The plans he has for you will unfold in His timing. Keep “looking up” as you’ve inspired me to do so too. Love you!
Hannah, I loved this: “We are the ones He’s chosen to use to get His message out to a world that craves something better.” You have said so succinctly what has been on my heart. Each day I move forward with the notion of providing His words to a world that needs encouragement, that is aching, or that wants to take a step closer to Him but isn’t sure how. His task lies joyfully upon my heart today. Thank you.
Oh thank you so much Susan, I really appreciate your words! Thank you for your heart to encourage others and point them towards Him. You are doing that, and I know as writers sometimes we don’t always see that, but God smiles down on you for your heart to serve Him and be a light to this world.
You have a real gift for Christian writing!!
Grandma
Thanks Grandma!! Love you!
Hannah – lovely as always. When I read this (as a Dad) I think about the times I build Lego’s with my kids. It’s never about getting the thing done, it’s about the time together, about watching them learn and succeed, about the journey. I think this is lovely.
Matt, Thank you.Your Lego example is such a great tie in! I really appreciate your “Dad” perspective. The way our Heavenly Father desires relationship with us can so often mimic the relationship between a parent and a child…and your kids are very lucky to have a Dad who values the things that truly matter.
“God will bring our calling into fruition as we allow His timing to unfold in His time and as we allow His plan to unfold in His way.”
So spot on, for me I also believe God is taking me through a process and to see another speak of the things which resonates in my heart is very comforting. Bless you Hannah and thank you so much for sharing this 🙂
Thank you for your kind words and what a blessing to hear that this was a comfort to you. Praise God! Sending blessings back your way! 🙂