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
Beckie — love your attitude and your willingness to promote God at all costs. Great things will happen because of that. Being humble does promote yourself and lifts up the Lord — that’s the way to promote yourself – through your character. You have it right. Del
Del, your comment means a lot. Thanks for the encouragement. So glad we’re on the same “team”—God’s team that is!
May the Lord bless you, Angie and all you both are doing for the Kingdom,
Beckie
I can so identify with what you have said here, Beckie! When I promote my novels, is it me I’m promoting, or the God who, through His Holy Spirit, guided me in all the words I wrote? From here on out, I’ll take your (God’s) advice and shine like the moon!
Blessings, and enjoy the conference!
Martha, I’m so glad this was helpful. I think you do a fantastic job of shining like the moon!
God bless you and yours (Danny and those cutie-pie grandbabies),
Beckie
Beckie, first of all, I LOVE your saying. It really should be a poster, or a greeting card… it’s lovely. Second of all, you don’t have to try to impress; just be you, because your writing is warm, inviting, and real… it speaks Jesus. And third, God is right (of course): Just focus on Him because that IS what we see when we read your work. I see Jesus, genuine Christianity, which is what drew me to your blog in the first place. And being a genuine Christian blogger myself at The Silver Lining; I’m very particular about which blogs I choose to read… they have to elevate Jesus. Yours does. You are there sweet sister! You are already there! Just be you, talk about your book, and let God do His miracles! I will be praying for you, and I’ll buy both books when you’re ready. Love you, girlfriend! God bless you, in Jesus’ name! 💙✝️🙏🏼
Angela, Oh, my goodness. You will never know how much I appreciate your affirming, encouraging words. It’s been go, go, go and very early mornings at the conference. I had only a few minutes to catch up and I read this beautiful comment. Thank you so much. You are such a blessing to me.
Sisters in Christ,
Beckie
P.S. I love reading your amazing blog too! I even read some to my husband.
Oh Beckie, we are soul sisters! For I love your writing too; it’s so good and down to earth, and speaks to my heart! I am so humbled to hear that you’ve read some of my blog to your hubby! That makes my heart happy! You have something special, so you just keep following God and being YOU! And what if He plans for us to meet at another conference or elsewhere? You are are a genuine Christian, and you have the gift of displaying the character of Jesus through the written word. I know you sincerely care about your readers, just as I do. It shows! I pray God blesses your two books, in Jesus’ name! I can’t wait to read them! 💙💙
Good message, good reminder. Thank you for sharing!
Paige,
Thanks for stopping by Spotlight. I’m glad the message was a positive reminder for you.
God bless!
Angela, I sure hope we get to meet face to face at a conference. I know it would be like seeing an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time. Although we have never met, we have a kindred spirit (the Holy Spirit) that has bound us as sisters. God is so amazing!
Thanks for your friendship and encouragement, dear sister!
Beckie, I loved getting to meet you in person at Blue Ridge. And thank you so much for this post. You said exactly what I’ve been feeling. So timely! Hope you got back to CA without any complications. I look forward to seeing you again 🙂
Crickett, We are back and caught up on sleep. I enjoyed meeting you too. I’m so glad this post spoke to you.
Grace and peace to you and yours!
As Christian writers we face this continually. Edie Melson spoke of the topic eloquently and you have described it beautifully. (Too many ly words!)
Great post—I want to be like the moon too. Thanks.
BTW- interesting that this morning my FB post “Today’s prayer for children” is that they will have bright faces, reflecting Jesus. 🙂
Connie, thanks for commenting. Regarding your FB post: I LOVE when God does that! He has the uncanny ability to bring confirmations— if we look for it. I’m so glad this post spoke to you.
Grace and peace to you and yours!
Beckie,
I’m glad I didn’t read this until after Blue Ridge! I’ve always struggled with humility/platform, too. In fact, I didn’t even put my name on my blog for the first two years. I’m going to keep your words close, for when the tension gets too overwhelming. The other commenter was right, you should make a poster!
Thanks for being so real with your readers.
Carole
Jesus-Yeshua Christ is the true LIGHT of Israel-Yisrael and our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and the EARTH!
Please Pray for our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and Israel-Yisrael Everyday EVERYONE!! “Pray Without Ceasing.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV ) 🙏
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
this morning praying, thinking of the presence of Christ and reflecting His light, The Lord told me much the same things as you wrote. so i looked up reflecting the light like the moon and found your post. Good word so true , Christians are much like the moon. If our life is cloudy our partially blocked by our selfishness or something else the light can not be shining to bright. But focused on Him His presence can be very bright at times
Ion,
Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad that God connected us through this post written five years ago. God is so amazing!
Blessing to you and yours in the name of Jesus Christ.