God, Me, and Being Unique
- By Susan McGeown
I am a writer of inspirational fiction: realistic, believable stories that acknowledge the existence of worldly temptations and despairs, while at the same time using Biblical truths as solutions and encouragement for success. My stories tell of life like it is, offer hope that things can be better; and admonish while they inspire.
People often ask me where I get my ideas. The easy answer is that God gives them to me, of course. But the more complicated answer involves explaining how my life is like a giant fishing net that is perpetually gathering material: from life experiences, friends and acquaintances, and Bible study. Some combination, huh? I have a tee shirt that says, BE CAREFUL OR YOU MAY END UP IN MY NEXT NOVEL. How true!
I love to write stories that involve magnificent transformations, incredible victories, and assurance of happy endings - not because I'm a big fan of fantasies but because I sincerely believe that all things are possible in a life committed to God. Why not have such expectations? My stories are about real life and real situations and how real people react to the complexities of life. I add in faith, sometimes subtly and sometimes in your face, because that's real life, too. Then, I weave a story around the concept of the choices we all make - good and bad - and how things inevitably work out in the end. Sometimes it's a Recipe for Disaster and sometimes it indicates A Well Behaved Woman's Life. I write realistic fiction, not fantasy.
With God everything is possible. Matthew 19:26b
My life has taught me that being a woman after God's own heart involves endless trust, perpetual prayer, and faith walks that no woman without God's love and protection would ever dare to go. A heart committed to God becomes rather fearless in my humble opinion. No, I haven't faced down an angry mob of four hundred armed men with a picnic basket like Abigail did (I Samuel 25:18), but I have argued my beliefs in the face of tremendous skepticism and derision - and that was scary!! I write what I do because I am a product of God's grace and mercy... and His miraculous transformations. For you see, I wasn't always this opinionated, confident, godly woman - and I still struggle daily to stay on this Rock I choose to make my home.
Without God, I am a shy, introverted, insecure woman who feels that she's never pretty enough, smart enough, clever enough, or strong enough to be much good to anyone. But you know something? I believe with all my heart that God doesn't make mistakes. That has to mean that I've got everything I'm supposed to have in order to succeed according to God's plan for me. If God's made me, then I must have the potential to make God smile - how amazing is that? God doesn't need us perfect. He just needs us willing.
Let God transform you into a new person. Romans 12:2
The Bible is filled with women just like me and you who seemed woefully ill equipped to do what God wanted them to do. Their stories - told sometimes with painfully embarrassing details, are meant to inspire and educate us. Sarah, barren for almost her entire life, was chosen to be the mother of God's chosen race (Genesis 21:7). Rahab, a lowly prostitute, was selected to be the heroine of the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:25). Mary, an unwed pregnant teen, was designated to be the mother of our Lord (Luke 1:30). They were chosen not because God forced them into it, but because their hearts were open to the challenge. Throughout the Bible, the consistent theme is that God is never interested in the smartest, or the prettiest, or the wisest, or the richest, or the bravest. Why should we assume that He has changed the rules for us now? God wants those of us with nothing but an open heart so that He can show His power and His might through our miraculous transformations and accomplishments. We can do all things through Christ's strength in us! Did I hear an 'Amen'?
With God, I have learned to battle my personal demons. I still quake with fear before I do something public like speak before the church, conduct a training session for my peers, or present my written works to curious strangers. But I do it because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that once I get up there magic happens with my words and thoughts and I become this coherent, intelligent woman. It is the Lord working His magic through me and my faith and my trust... and it is an amazing experience.
I pray a lot because I'm a big chicken and it makes me feel safer. Hey, if the God of The Universe wants to communicate personally with me and the only avenue open to me is prayer, who am I to decline? I pray in the shower, while I'm doing the dishes, and if you passed me the other day on the highway, I wasn't talking on my cell phone! The more I pray, the more I see the world through God's eyes and the more I understand what He needs me to do.
My goal each day is to make God smile. No, I haven't built any wells in remote African villages nor have I donated enough money to build a new hospital wing. While I'm at it I'll tell you that I hate to cook, am fantastically impatient, and regularly need to examine my priorities because I tend to slip off course... a lot. But I love to teach - both kids and adults - so I do that regularly at my church. I'm organized and committed once I'm on board with something and I serve with a passionate determination to bring success in all I am involved it. I write - a lot. If I don't write, stories pile up in my head like a backed up drainpipe - which is never a good thing. These are all things that God has given me that others don't have. I'm not bragging, just stating an obvious fact. (And please note that I haven't said I'm fantastically good at anyone of these things, I just seem to have some affinity towards them.) As an added plus, these are things that I enjoy doing. God, in His infinite love and generosity, allows me to use my gifts to His glory... and have a good time doing it. How perfect is that? We need to make sure that we're doing the most we can do for God in the spot we are standing right now.
Work together with the same purpose. I Corinthians 3:8
I ask regularly for Big Black Arrows from God - because I'm kind of dense and preoccupied as I stumble through this life and regularly are inclined to miss the more subtle signs that He sends my way. Just paint a big black arrow on the ground, God, and I promise I'll follow it willingly wherever it may take me! I must continually remind myself that the Bible says that God works all things to good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). It took me a while to realize that it doesn't just say "the nice stuff," or "the happy times," or "the rewarding experiences." It says all things. Let's look on the bright side: that means that every single one of my personal disasters all have the potential of working towards good. Well, that's a relief! After all these years, I've decided I'd like to be just like King David (no, I don't care to slay any giants, thank you). I am determined to be a woman after God's own heart - David's female counterpart (I Samuel 13:14). You see David's outstanding quality was that no matter how many times he failed, he willingly acknowledged his culpability and recommitted himself back into God's plan as soon as he clued in - even if he was kneeling in the smoking ruins of his life. Hey, I can do that! I've got plenty of spectacular failures to work with, that's for sure. It's the determination to never give up on God's purpose for my life that I continually must remind myself about.
Through my successes and my failures I am now determined to be a woman of faith no matter what anyone says or thinks. (Picture me with my hands on my hips, my chin raised in defiance.) I want it to be my defining feature, the glue that holds all my pieces together. No matter what hat I'm wearing: mother, sister, daughter, aunt, teacher, friend, classroom helper, annoyed customer, neighbor, or stranger - I want it to be the first distinctive quality anyone notices. It's a noble goal but constant work. Our faith is our identity, our life is our resume, and our message is that we are no one else's but God's.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain Philippians 1:20-21
I reached a point where I am delighted to be the unique woman I am because God needs me to be just this way so He can accomplish His specific plan for my life. I no longer want to be like anyone else but me. I don't want anyone else's life but my own. I'll deal with my own problems, my own challenges, and my own goals because they're all necessary to get me where God needs me to be each and every day. My personal space is filled with me and all my issues, thank you very much... I don't need anyone else's.
My husband and I have a saying: "Breathless anticipation of things to come." It's wrapped up in the belief that if I am God's own then He is in control of my life and will give me infinite care. No matter how the future appears I can rest assured that the tapestry of my life is going to be one mighty splendid sight when it's completed. As long as I follow the proper pattern and adhere to all the directions.
Striving to be a woman after God's own heart puts every aspect of your life into perspective. Your foundation becomes rock solid, your walls of protection become invincible, your lines of communication are assured, and your ceiling is the limitless sky. No one, no thing can hold you back... but yourself.
How To Become A Woman After God's Own Heart:
Recognize that your differences enable you to connect with others so that when united an effective, godly machine can be assembled and become functional. Believe that you are important and necessary to God's plan because you are.
Acknowledge that your greatest trials, failures and weaknesses are usually the area in which God wants most to work His Magic and, consequently, the areas of your greatest potential for triumph. Ask God to show you opportunities where you can help others to become better and stronger because of your life's examples of success and failure. Believe that God wants nothing but the very best for you and that through faith and obedience you really can achieve a happily ever after life of God's design. Know that God's want victory in us and through us.
Earnestly desire an intimate relationship with the God of the Universe and work consistently towards that goal through prayer, devotions, and fellowship with like-minded believers. No more excuses. Go to church. Begin to pray. Read God's word. Make the effort.
Determine to always grow, mature, work, seek and learn. You're 's not finished with your responsibilities here on earth until you're dead. One step at a time, make a conscious effort to be better than the person you were yesterday. Be a snowball rolling down hill; let your positive impact grow with each and every move.
You ARE a woman after God's own heart - right now, this very instant, dependent solely on you and your own personal decision for Whom you wish to be in control of your life. Who will you trust? Who will you invest your future with? Who will you believe? When will you make a decision about Joining The Club (the God club, that is)?
Resources that are worth looking into: Bible Gateway has numerous Bible translations, languages, and commentaries to read in their entirety available FOR FREE. Don't have a Bible? Now you do. Don't know which translation you prefer? Now you can explore. Don't understand something? Now you have a resource. Social Networks that cater to Christian themes: ShoutLife and Christian Women Affliliates are just two of the numerous sites that cater to Christian themes and offer opportunities to converse with like minded believers and ARE FREE. Read: besides the Bible, I heartily recommend Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life, Philip Yancey's PRAYER: Does It Make Any Difference, C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest and John Eldredge's EPIC: The Story God Is Telling. While not free, they've all been around for so long you can get used copies off Amazon for $0.01 plus $3.99 shipping and handling.Church: Visit, listen, look, question... find one that you like. Persist. Do not give up. Once you're there become involved: attend things other than worship service. Have a mantra "I'll try it at least once." Susan McGeown is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, uncle (don't ask), teacher, author... but, most importantly, a "woman after God's own heart." She's been a teacher, a Children's minister, a deacon, a vacation Bible school coordinator, a preschool director, and a Bible study leader. Living in Bridgewater, New Jersey, with her husband of almost twenty years and their three children, writing stories is just about the best way she can imagine spending her time. Each of Sue's stories champions those emotions nearest and dearest to her: faith, joy, hope and love. Sue's Website and Blog: http://www.susanmcgeown.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_McGeown Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4783886
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