Sharing my voice, using my Gift to reach others...

One of the tricks of the enemy is to make you second guess God, yourself and the gifts and talents God has blessed you with. When we questions Gods grace he can't release the blessing He has for us.

I fought the urge to share my thoughts and experiences for years, except for limited situations that I picked and chose. I fought the urge to let my testimonies be a blessing to others. I fought the urge to do this blog or a daily devotional because I was worried that I don't talk the way others do in the devotions and inspirational stuff that I've read. I tried to write that way but it wasn't me, and in essence I was trying to be something I wasn't and conform, which was never my style. My whole life has been about thinking outside the box and taking chances. Not doin what others expected of me and being my own person.

But for some reason when it came to representing the Lord, be it writing and just kicking it with friends and those I came in contact with, I had an interpretation that I had to do it the way my mom's generation was doin it. Like I said that wasn't my style in any other aspect of my life. Even being involved in hip-hop most of my life, especially in the early days we were trying to find our own voice and express ourselves in a different way. But when it came to spread Gods message I hesitated and thought about it to much, too deeply instead of doin what I do and that just write and let the words flow.

I wasn't staying true to myself and who God made me and in essence wasn't just questioning myself and my talent but I was also questioning God who created me to reach others through my writing. Or put another way I wasn't trusting in Him and doin what I was created to do.

Awhile back when I was coming up as a hip-hop journalist, a published author I met at a music conference told me he was feeling an article I wrote for some magazine, when we were introduced. I was a fan of his books, I was shocked he even knew who I was. The that he felt what I wrote meant a lot to me. He said I had a voice and asked me when was I goin to write a book. My response was I didn't know how to write a book, I didn't know any publishers or agents etc etc. I had every excuse why I couldn't write a book or even do more writing like the piece he was feeling, outside of the traditional artist interviews.

He looked me in my face, paused for a second and said just write. I said I didn't know what to write, he told me write what I know and more importantly write like you talk. Don't try to write like I or any other writers talk, let your voice be heard. So after procrastinating for more than a few more years I finally finished the first draft of my first book. It's an urban romance joint loosely based on my life as a writer and how my wife and I met. I still don't have an agent and at this point even if this book never sees the light of day the accomplishment was a good experience and now I know I can in fact write a book.

Now I take that same approach with representing the Lord. Don't get it twisted. Don't let the smooth taste fool you.
I am goin to continue to let it do what it do.
I am goin to continue to give you da flava that you savior, neighbor.
But the difference is on this blog and the future books I'm goin to write, I'm goin to keep it real for the Lord.
I also now believe that I have many books in me and I feel God is leading me to do Christian inspirational books with a hip-hop feel (a genre that doesn't yet exist).

I believe God wants to use me to reach that young hip-hop generation that is not in church, that's not reading anyone's bible. Some of what is written on this blog, might not appeal to everyone, but I am just goin to do what I do, just write and perfect my gift of communicating and reaching the masses through the art of writing.

I know from everything I ever done, it wont be easy, but as my former pastor the now Bishop Louis Hunter used to say to us almost weekly
If He gives you the vision He will give you the provision. This Blog is the first step toward accomplishing that, Please pray for your brother as I step up in this new arena.

Is there something God has been leading you to do, that you have been questioning or doubting that you can? Have you been blocking your blessing by procrastinating? Are you a tree that produces no fruit? Do you know what your gift is?

Father God, bless us that every moment of our life be dedicated to pleasing and serving you in Christ's love. Help us realize our gifts and talents and use them to spread your Word and do your will as you have intended.
In the name of your Son, Jesus The Christ
We pray this prayer,
Amen
Amen
Amen