This is not my typical post. But this has been on my mind for quite some time and I have decided to just go ahead and share my heart with you.
There are a few serious disadvantages to writing a blog such as this one.
First, people expect me to live up to what I write.
When you write about what God’s Word says, people have expectations. They expect you to live up to what you write. And I don’t always do that. That is just the bottom line. I certainly try to and I have a strong desire to, but I am still very much a sinner and really screw up sometimes.
And so, while I have certainly experienced victory in the Christian life and have definitely grown, I have certainly not reached perfection. In fact, the deeper my walk with God grows, the more I realize just how sinful I am. It’s a little disconcerting, quite honestly, but as I grow towards God, my awareness of my sinfulness just increases. And each day, I become a little more aware of just how great that gulf between God and man is that Jesus Christ spanned when He sacrificed Himself for our sins. Oh, what a wonderful Savior we serve!
The second reason why writing a blog like this is difficult is because, you, the readers, make judgments about me. Some of you are such a blessing to me, encouraging me and supporting me. But others of you determine that I am harsh and unloving. I don’t like this. I don’t want people to think these things about me. I try to share God’s truth with love and grace, but, again, I know I don’t do this perfectly.
When someone stops reading this blog I always wonder: What did I write that they didn’t like?
I know that many people stop reading because they just stop. I do understand this. But blogging is so one-sided. It requires much from the writer and very little from the reader. The writer makes themselves very vulnerable and the reader makes a judgment about that writer.
If you know me well, you can make those judgments with a little more insight. But most of you do not know me well. You don’t know my heart and you don’t know how well my life matches up with what I write.
So I guess my purpose in writing this particular post is to just say this:
I very humbly admit to you that I am a sinner saved by God’s marvelous grace and I am striving every day to walk with God and to please Him in everything I do. When I write here at Growing4Life, it is not to point a finger at any particular person, to make someone angry, or to stir up conflict, but simply to point out the truths of God’s Word as they have been taught traditionally throughout the last 2000 years, and, along with this, to point out the error that has invaded the Christian church in these last days. Some of these things can be difficult for me to write and many times I have to really work up some courage to post them. But, while I don’t want to upset my fellow believers, I care far more about what God thinks than about anything else. This is the thing that keeps me going.
But God has used many of you to encourage me, and for that, I thank you. And to those of you that faithfully read this blog, even if you have never told me, I just want to thank you. I don’t know how I landed here–an insignificant blog in the giant blogosphere–but here I am. Six years ago, I thought this would be a great way to get back to doing something I love. Many of you are the reason I kept going throughout those years. Whether you commented or said something to me in person, God has used those things to encourage me and to keep me writing. So thank you. I want to continue writing here until God makes it very clear to stop.
Have a great day!
Leslie, I hope that you’ll be encouraged as you continue sharing what God lays on your heart. I can relate to all you say about how difficult it is to be harshly judged when our sincerest desire is to share God’s truth. It is our very nature to desire the love and acceptance of others but the Bible tells us this will not always be so. John 15:18-19 says “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Trust God and keep pressing toward the mark! You are a wonderful encouragement to me!
Oh, such wise words and good insight :) Thank you so much, Cheryl!
Miss Leslie,
You have been a wonderful inspiration for me. I so very much look forward to your posts. They have become part of my daily devotional time. Reminding me how good God has been to me. Two weeks ago my husband went home to be with The Lord and reading your posts have been very encouraging and uplifting. Thank you so much for taking the time out you schedule to share. God bless you!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cheryl Biggs
Thank you for sharing that with me, Cheryl. I am so humbled by this. May God bless and keep you as you go through this dark time.
I echo Cheryl’s comments ☺ I think it is becoming increasingly difficult to share the truth of the Bible without being accused of causing offence (or much worse!). We are certainly living in times in which the world is quick to call God’s wisdom ‘folly’. Christians like yourself Leslie who are prepared to raise your head above the parapet are a great encouragement to the rest of us. Thank you!
Thank you, Allison. You have become such a source of encouragement to me and are truly my friend “across the ocean”! I love the unity that exists between the members of the true church. It is such a blessing!
I admire your courage in posting this. I did stop reading for a while because I wasn’t able to not take the content personally, which is an area I am continuing to work on. I’m not sure what inspired this post and I hope whatever it was continues to help both you and readers to continue on with the open mindset of learning from each other and not closing up because of differences. After all, we can’t grow if we close doors to something that is unfamiliar or different from us. We don’t all need to think alike in order to learn and grow from each other. :)
Thank you, Becca. I am so glad that you are back! :) And my content is never personal–except to be personal about my own mistakes and weaknesses! ;)
Your calling is the writing, nothing more, nothing less. Stay true to your calling.
That is my desire!
Leslie you are one of the first posts I look for daily! I teach and a write a bit myself and this is not an easy task! The gospel was offensive in Jesus day and frankly it is just as offensive today! True hearers thirst for Gods word in a parched and desert land. Sadly,not all will agree with you for varied reasons. Please know that what you speak is solid and most loving(even makes me check myself!) Sister please stay obedient to what God has called you to do,and don’t you dare be ashamed of his precious word. There are those who will never comment but they will read and be challenged in what you write. I cannot tell you how often my husband has told me, “I don’t even know why I write?” but darn it, if we don’t run across someone some where or a patient will come in his office and tell us how inspired encouraged they were. Listen, it takes boldness to do what you do and not everyone is up to that task, but for those you challenge, sharpen, and hold accoutable they will be eternally grateful. Do you think the devil want Gods word to go out? maybe challenge or convict someone? maybe make someone dig deep? no way! He has to put that light out by getting you to shut down make you want to shirk back into a safe place! You must let your light shine for all men to see because I need it hear in California! Yes,now carry on.
Thank you, Melanie! Thank you so much. Wonderful encouragement I will remember for those tough days. I’m so glad you ended up here at the blog. You have been such a blessing to me.
Leslie, you just keep on going. We need more voices who proclaim the truth. This is even more true with each passing day. You are a blessing to us! Thank you for your dedication in sharing. :)
Thank you, Angie! :)
Leslie, Greetings and I read most of your blogs and find them clear and concise. Writing is a gift that not everyone possesses. I have often wished that I had such a gift. I am a re-tired minister and after 52 years of basically full time ministry I am still looking for materials that will help me both personally and in my ‘extended’ tour of duty. Since my retirement I now work in missions and as a lay person in both Spanish and English speaking works. I am working extensively in Haiti and have made 11 trips in 4 years.
Telling it like it needs to be told is never easy. However our job is to deliver the message. It is up to the Holy Spirit to deal with the hearts of those who read whatever we write or speak either publicly or with someone in private.
Thousands have followed the footsteps of Jesus to their death for speaking the truth. Should that happen to any one of us, it would be better than cowering in a corner while others perish.
Keep the “pen” flowing with words that will challenge those of us who are reading them, for in them we find materials that we can also use in our work.
Just my preacher mind at work here.
Russell
Thank you. Your words are so wise and also very encouraging. I am humbly grateful and thank for you taking the time to remind me of some very basic truths of the Christian life.
Dearest Leslie,
Today people do not want to hear the “real” Word, they want to hear what tickles their ears and what they like to hear – but it should be less about us and more about Him. So those who are offended with your posts should do a bit of soul searching and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Keep your pen busy with what the Lord leads you to share. Appreciate your blog.
Regards from New Zealand,
Muriel
Thank you, Muriel, for your wise and encouraging words! I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand. My brother was there many years ago and loved it!
Finally, a post to this blog that tells at least a scintilla of truth: This is all about you. All. About. You. What people think of you. You, you, you. Narcissist you. And thus, your religion is also all about you. Your parenting, all about you. I grew up with a mother just like you. Take good hard look… your kids will be me.
I’m so sorry you feel that way. Since you have the power to visit whatever blogs you want to, you never have to visit this blog again. That is probably great news for you :)
Jello Leslie
There are a number of sayings that are very fitting.
1. If the shoe fits, wear it
2. If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, you know which one got hit, he is the one that cries the loudest.
Even David had to rely on God to direct the stone he sent from his sling. Likewise we must keep sending the message and leave it up to the Holy Spirit to let hit hit it’s target.
There are more that enough people who would rather blame the messenger than repent and change their lives.
Keep the rocks coming, ecen I get nicked once in a while.
Thank you, Russell. I am slowly learning not to take comments such as these too seriously. I have one mission and that is to bring glory to God and to point people to His Word. If that makes some people angry, then so be it. Of course, I don’t like it, but it is what it is. Thank you for your encouraging words :)