After numerous speech and theatre classes in college, I learned the importance of knowing my audience. They say the same is true in writing. Who are you speaking to? That's the million dollar question. I have to ask myself the very same thing as I embark on this journey as a Christian speaker and author. For me the answer is simple and it's stated in my first blog.
"My prayer...is that God will allow my path to cross with other rebels, misfits, and prodigal
daughters who simply need to hear that...God is waiting for them with open arms if they will just
return to Him and heed his calling."
So there you have it. My audience is composed of rebels, misfits and...well, runaways, basically. Tough crowd! Why would anyone purposely target a group of girls and women that the world has labeled as "undesirable"? Simple. I was one.
Not only that, but as I recall my Savior did the same thing during his earthly ministry. He could usually be found with the tax collectors and sinners. As a CHRISTian, aren't I called to follow his example?
As a man, Christ was able to empathize with our plight. Similarly, as a former misfit and rebel (okay, sometimes not-so-former) I have compassion for my sisters. I've experienced firsthand that longing to belong and that desire to search out what life held for me. I also remember the indignant cries that "no one's gonna tell me what I can and can't do!" I was woman, and you likely heard me roar.
As I was considering the drastic change I've undergone, an interesting thought came to me. Many would define a rebel as someone who doesn't go with the status quo and who doesn't allow others to dictate how they think, behave, etc. And many of those same people would probably agree that Christianity is a lifestyle full of rules and regulations. Seems like it would never work, right? Well, you see, that's the thing I'm learning each and every day. It can work. It does, in fact. I'm not sure I can explain exactly how other than to compare it to an earthly relationship. If you've ever been in love then you understand the difference in doing something because you have to and doing something out of love, respect, admiration and so on. There's a world of difference. When you're in love, it's not a task or a rule or a must - it's a want, a desire, a longing. Christianity isn't a list of do's and don'ts. It's a relationship with a perfect, holy, Heavenly Father who loves us so much that he sent his son to die so he could be with us for eternity. A love like that doesn't elicit rebellion and defiance but heartfelt gratitude and a life of service and submission.
"My prayer...is that God will allow my path to cross with other rebels, misfits, and prodigal
daughters who simply need to hear that...God is waiting for them with open arms if they will just
return to Him and heed his calling."
So there you have it. My audience is composed of rebels, misfits and...well, runaways, basically. Tough crowd! Why would anyone purposely target a group of girls and women that the world has labeled as "undesirable"? Simple. I was one.
Not only that, but as I recall my Savior did the same thing during his earthly ministry. He could usually be found with the tax collectors and sinners. As a CHRISTian, aren't I called to follow his example?
As a man, Christ was able to empathize with our plight. Similarly, as a former misfit and rebel (okay, sometimes not-so-former) I have compassion for my sisters. I've experienced firsthand that longing to belong and that desire to search out what life held for me. I also remember the indignant cries that "no one's gonna tell me what I can and can't do!" I was woman, and you likely heard me roar.
As I was considering the drastic change I've undergone, an interesting thought came to me. Many would define a rebel as someone who doesn't go with the status quo and who doesn't allow others to dictate how they think, behave, etc. And many of those same people would probably agree that Christianity is a lifestyle full of rules and regulations. Seems like it would never work, right? Well, you see, that's the thing I'm learning each and every day. It can work. It does, in fact. I'm not sure I can explain exactly how other than to compare it to an earthly relationship. If you've ever been in love then you understand the difference in doing something because you have to and doing something out of love, respect, admiration and so on. There's a world of difference. When you're in love, it's not a task or a rule or a must - it's a want, a desire, a longing. Christianity isn't a list of do's and don'ts. It's a relationship with a perfect, holy, Heavenly Father who loves us so much that he sent his son to die so he could be with us for eternity. A love like that doesn't elicit rebellion and defiance but heartfelt gratitude and a life of service and submission.
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