devotional - A Call to Purpose: Building Community
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." - 1 Peter 4:10
For 2023, I decided I needed to get my priorities straight.
Today, I want to share why writing these devotionals (as well as hosting my new Practical Ministry segments on the Born to Fly podcast) have moved their way to the top of that list.
But first, a little story…
It was around 2005 when I asked God to reveal His purpose for me.
He responded with the following statement: “Live your life; gain insight and wisdom; share your story; inspire others to do the same.”
Even though I didn’t know God then the way I do now, His description of my “purpose” has proven to be consistently accurate ever since.
Two years later, when I found myself going through a very difficult divorce, the only thing keeping me sane was my lifelong practice of journaling.
Because it was such an emotional time, I was worried that my writing would not be objective or that it was merely an exercise in self-indulgence.
I wanted a way to hold myself accountable to the truth, so I decided to start publishing it as a blog called Process of Illumination.
For the past 16 years, the practice of self-reflection, faithfully documenting my journey, and sharing it in such a raw, authentic and vulnerable way has been the best means I know to fulfill that purpose.
Fast forward to 2021 when Born to Fly invited me to start writing devotionals for their newsletter. Unsure whether my writing style would fit that format, it required me to take a leap of faith and challenge myself.
Very quickly, I came to realize that having some structure to my writing is really beneficial for me.
Not only am I able to continue to process my life through my writing but by anchoring each piece with a verse from scripture, it helps me focus on the principles that God is highlighting and apply them to my life more consistently.
But since I shifted formats from blog to devotional, it’s become so much more than a way to help me process and inspire my readers.
It’s a way to express my love, not just for God but for my community, as well.
Looking back on my life, it’s clear that I’ve always been a community builder at heart.
God has blessed me with many gifts but my greatest joy comes when I use them to help others.
In addition to my writing and other “creative” gifts, I serve my community as a Marketplace Minister, offering pre-marital & marriage enrichment classes and life coaching.
I also officiate life-cycle events such as weddings, baby dedications and funerals.
Some of God’s gifts are what we get paid for and some, like these devotionals, are not.
The point is, He blesses us, not so we can keep all his gifts and joy to ourselves, but so we can bless others.
Dear reader, we’ve all heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child”.
This expression refers to an entire community working together to ensure the growth and safety of children.
While the members of our immediate family do shape our values, beliefs, and personalities, the people that surround us (our environment), have a noteworthy impact on our overall health and development.
But we don’t have to be children to benefit from the effects of living in a community.
At any age, we can literally improve the quality of each others’ lives.
So, reader, what about you?
If using your talents for God can help you find purposeful work, share God’s love and build community, how is He calling you to bless others?
If your answer seems scary or unrealistic, it might be helpful to explore what life changes are necessary in order to accomplish it.
Until we meet again,
May God’s grace be with you.
Tracy and the Born To Fly Team
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you would like more information on my coaching or mentoring services, please contact me at tracy@xolifecelebrations.com.
Listen to my Practical Ministry segments on the Born To Fly Podcast here
