moon-shine like the moon meme

In January, God gave me a passage in scripture to memorize. This passage was to be my focus for the year.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:3-5

I’ve meditated on these verses, allowing them to resonate in my mind and heart. I’ve thought of them throughout the day, stopping to ask myself if I was thinking of others. To compare my attitude to Christ’s. To avoid selfishness.

For several months I have also been preparing for a Christian writers conference. It’s something I’ve looked forward to because of the many possibilities. I have the chance to take classes and improve my craft.  I also get to connect with other writers, editors, and publishers. But as the conference grew near, I began to get nervous about how I would live out the verses I have been memorizing and learning to put into practice while at the conference.

You see, another great thing about writers conferences is the opportunity to “pitch” my two completed books to editors/publishers. As a writer, I’m writing because I love it, but I also want others to read it. Herein lies the problem: how do I remain unselfish, humble and not try to impress while pitching my ideas?

Today’s writers have a responsibility to do much of their own promotion for their writing projects, even if they have an agent and/or a publisher. I am fortunate to have an agent, but I still must do my part to promote my writing. I’m expected to do what’s called “build a platform”. This means to develop a network of people who will want to read and purchase my writing. Much of this is done through social media.

While meditating upon my verses, I asked the Lord to help me see how to promote my writing, especially at the conference, without trying to impress others. Don’t I want my writing to impress others so they’ll read it?

This is how that conversation with the Lord went down.

Me: I want to be humble and unselfish. I don’t want to try and impress others. I want to impress only You, Lord. But how is it possible to not attempt to impress others and not promote my writing?

God: Don’t promote you. Promote Me. Shine your light like the moon. Where does the moon get its light?

Me: The sun.

God: You do too. Your light comes from the SON. My son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit living within you.

Don’t try to manufacture light. Spend time with Jesus by humbly sitting at His feet. Recall who you are to Him. Your value is so great, that He was willing to die for you. You now you sit with Him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6) You are one with my Son, my Spirit and with Me (John 17:22-23).

Like Moses when He returned from Mount Sinai and His face was aglow with my glory, you will reflect my light like the moon reflects the light of the sun. Others will know you’ve spent time with Me. You won’t be able to hide my light of love.

Be the moon.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. ” 
~Jesus Christ


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