Off The Hook?: The Day I Realized I Had a Blog (Plus a Giveaway!)

So, I love getting off scot-free. One of the joys in life for me is being off the hook from a daunting responsibility. When I was a child and it was my turn on dishes but we went out for dinner, I felt as though I practically won the lottery. In University when I found out certain books were not required reading, I felt as though my prof was smiling down on me from her podium. It's nice to take something off your mental checklist, isn't it?

As I've mentioned previously, I'm currently working through a Beth Moore bible study called James: Mercy Triumphs with a group of local, wonderful women. In this book, Beth essentially takes apart the book of James (sometimes verse by verse) and busts her butt to challenge every single reader with nothing but cold hard truth.

Anyway, about getting off scot-free. Last week, I opened up my study for the day to find James writing the following words, and then Beth Moore inevitably following up with a critical challenge for... you know, those people James' words applied to.

"Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should be teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." - James 3:2-5

James goes on, but I'm sure you get the idea.

We who teach.

 Who was James writing to? We who teach. Strong words to consider once you realize that this man wasn't a trained teacher of religious law. Not a rabbi. Not an ordained minister. Not a political leader. Just a man who, for many years, doubted that his own half-brother was the Messiah. A man who made it his life to share God's message, and a man who wrote this letter to others who decided to share God's message. The only qualifier was that one could read these words and repeat them to those who couldn't. We who teach. He was firing a warning shot to those of us who thought their mouth would be a good platform for doing God's work. Because that platform is a dangerous place to stand on. Because that platform sets us up for being responsible to those who hear. Because on that platform, we are asking to be examined through a magnifying glass.

I have never considered myself a teacher. But that was foolish of me, wasn't it? Because I write a blog and my intention - and the reality here - is that people read it. As a matter of fact, I don't know who reads it... Some friends, some family... But being on the internet that's not really in my hands unfortunately.

 And I have a habit of using a small thing to make grand speeches.

So, sitting in my big comfy refurbished chair nursing my young daughter, I was faced with a realization and a choice. Do I want to get off the hook? Do I want to be released of this responsibility? Because if I do, I'd better stop writing for the public to read. I decided to look at my life, my gifts, my desires. I feel as though I have things to say and people I want to say them to and my true heart is set on exposing my weaknesses - hopefully in a funny way sometimes - to show others that there is redemption we can find, that there is hope. My trials in life are trivial and small, I know that, but God shines light on even the smallest shade of darkness. There have been mountains I've climbed and pitch black valleys I've navigated and I'll get there to sharing them with you, but I also want to expose God's grace in the every day. In the struggles with parenting. In the challenges of marriage. In my attempts at making mediocre crafts to brighten my home.

So, no, I'm not off the hook.

 Which means not only am I held accountable for my thoughts and actions in the day to day, but I will be "judged more strictly" for directing this ship of language even in the strong winds.

It means I need to be real with you.  It means I need to ignore what's popular and write what's on my heart. Thankfully, Beth Moore in her study was smart enough not to leave "those of us" hanging and she provided a wise list of guidelines and warnings for those of us who feel called to share God's redemptive story through words.

the giveaway.

You can buy your own copy here

If you'd like to see these, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of the study. It's changing my life. And encouraging me to be a more accountable writer because I know my responsibility goes deeper than what you read here. And I'd love to see the words of James and the commentary of Beth change your life, too. So I'm offering a giveaway of the book James:Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore.

To enter, post a comment below about what God has put on your heart lately. Be as candid or as discreet as you'd like.

For an additional entry each, repost this on Facebook or Twitter or Pin the image below.

 And for a little fun and encouragement, search #shereadstruth... God is using social media in ways we can't imagine.

I'll draw on Monday, goodluck!