Audience of "ONE"

With just starting this blog I have been getting some feedback. One feedback imparticular was the reason this blog almost ceased to exist last night! After their very harsh and insensitive critique (though I know that wasn't their intention)...I was left questioning what the point of this blog was!?! The critique basically said that in order for this blog to be read or even be successful I needed to change just about everything. Hurt and in tears I ended up having a heart to heart with GOD. And this is what HE had to say: "Your blog is not written for man but for ME!! I AM your audience! What man's opinion is doesn't matter because I AM calling you to write this blog and to share what you're posting."


This conversation quickly brought to mind a conversation I had earlier in the day with a guy friend. In which he cautioned me to not get caught up in the blog numbers (how many people following/how many comments). He said, "Your purpose on earth is really just to impact 1 life to win just 1 person to Christ." Some point during the conversation he said, "I hope GOD is speaking to you through me!!"...Pretty powerful - right!?! I feel like GOD gave me that earlier in the day knowing how the night was going to end with this crushing critique. Making me feel that sharing from the heart was a mistake and that what I brought to the table wasn't enough (a feeling I already struggle with on a regular basis). :(


This made me think of the authors of the Books of the Bible. What if they had gotten a negative perspective of what they were sharing & writing about and had given up and not finished writing their Book...what would have come of the Bible?? It certainly wouldn't be what it is today! Believe me...I'm not comparing my little blog to the awe-inspiring Books of the Bible, just using it as an example...Because late last night as I was talking to GOD through tears I went to this blog: Daniel-Snyder.blogspot.com and realized I had gotten a response about a question I had asked a few days earlier. In turn this individual decided to start  his own blog out of trying to respond to me. And his post "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner”? What Does Your Friend Really Hear… is his response to my very question.


I had no idea just by asking a question I could have such a positive impact on someone. What an incredible feeling to know GOD had used me and how awesome of GOD to let me know this while I had been knocked down to the ground. This blog of his (ANotSoStraightPerspective.com) is now a powerful ministry he has to reach out to so many hurting people in ways most of us can't. And you'll understand what I mean by reading his blog.


It made me think of my friend; Joanna's blog: craftyhomeschoolmama.blogspot.com. Her post "Women, Choose Life" is about being careful what you say. The tongue is a powerful thing and your words can either encourage and edify or tear down and destroy. It can breathe so much life into someone and at the same time zap the life right out of them. Matthew 15:18 "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."


I know this all too well as I recently needed to reconcile with a friend because of this very thing. During our conversation I tried to express something which came out much different and very harsh. My hurtful words were attacking and discouraged us both! I felt just awful!...because my heart's desire was to edify, encourage & uplift while trying to express my feelings about something that had offended me not to tear down, discourage and have this person feel like we were on opposite sides. :(


As I look back at past conversations with various different people it just amazes me how in a single sentence you can encourage/uplift & destroy/tear down those closest to you. Sometimes completely with out knowing what you did and others (I hate to admit this) intentionally! I wish there was a rewind and erase button in those moments...because once it's said...it's too late to take it back and the damage is done! Of course you can repent and apologize and ask for forgiveness...but some of those harsh hurtful things can stay embedded in their minds...unfortunately! I know there's things those closest to me have said that I still remember to this day and vice versa...though I wish that wasn't the case!!


People of this world aren't always going to agree with what you say/do or even support you. That's when you remember who your audience is...your " Audience of ONE." This blog is for GOD...its like a public journal that He and I are writing together. :)


I may never know the impact this blog has on anyone. And that's ok...because it's not my job to keep the running total only GOD's! Who knows maybe it won't be until I'm in heaven that I found out the impact I have had on this world whether through this blog, my testimony, someone hearing me say I am a Christian and watching from a far as my behavior reflects Christ. I might not know until GOD introduces me to that person(s) and says, "On this day at this time when you were doing this you changed this person's life or this was the day so and so decided to follow Me because of you saying/doing this etc.


Hmmm....what an amazing introduction that would be!! Until that time there will be many opportunities for me to reflect Christ's love. I just need to keep my eyes on the goal (being living my life solely for an "Audience of ONE") and not be focused on the score board (Lives impacted #/ Lives Saved #).