Is My Mess Really My Message?

Yes, God does have a plan and a purpose for each one of the sons and daughters of God. I repeat. What is God calling me, into doing? I’ve some people who say “Your mess is your message!” Is it? Let’s talk about that.

I could easily point to a wide array of Scriptures declaring the same idea. We are not called to be benchwarmers. There is work for each born again Christians, to do. I’ll just point to one:

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10 [NASB]

Did you read the last verse? God, the Father has something for each person to do. These works have nothing to do with salvation; however, there is a reward for what has been done. What does this have to do with one’s calling? Our calling is often the work that God is calling you into.

How do I find out what God is calling me, to do? It is not like I’m going to get a vision. It is true that not everyone has a vision of their calling. As someone who has received such a vision; it did not occur until after I started down the path of freelance writing.

I’d love to jump right into the topic of mess is your message; however, there is an important first step. You need to cultivate a prayer life and spend time in the Word of God. A prayer life is simply talking with Jesus about what is on your heart. It also involves taking the time and listen to what God is saying. There is no shortcut.

Before I got that vision, I did not have a great prayer life. Heck, I don’t think that I spend more than 10 minutes in prayer and my Bible reading was sporadic. Why am I saying this? I would like to dispel a popular myth that says “You have to have it, altogether before God can use you.” This lie could not be further from the truth.

All it takes is a step of faith and start moving forward. Pray and seek God. Trust that God will answer and direct you; even if you go off-trail. You can trust the Holy Spirit to guide you and direct your step. Talk with Jesus about your struggles and what you’re passionate about.

By the way, I just gave you a starting point for how one’s mess can become one’s message. For me, my struggles have been with depression, fear of rejection, and a crappy self-image. I had to undergo a lot of inner healing before I could write about it.

My original view centered on writing for the technology field. The idea of helping people overcome depression was not on my radar. The same idea applies to the idea of writing blog posts on overcoming fear or other encouraging stories.

However, God had a different plan and it was not difficult to change my plan. Before I could follow God’s plan for my writing, I needed to get some training and healing. I soon found myself with a hunger for books related to the field of inner healing.

On the surface, it seems I am reading for my own benefits. I did not know that these books would prove helpful in my later writings. God was using my mess to shape my message. When did this all come together and solidified for me?

Here is when your mess is not your message; however, it can’t stop God’s plan for you. Years ago, some friends thought I’d be a natural for working with the disabled community. Why? It’s because I was born with disabilities and I do not function like I have disabilities.

As such, I could be an inspiration to other disabled individuals. This idea sounds good and I was working with a disability advocacy group. My church friends did not know about this and they didn’t know about the internal pains that I suffered.

It sounds good; however, it was not my real mess. I did not struggle with disabilities. and I did not see it, as a prison. My mess was my battles with depression, rejection, insecurity, and low self-esteem. This is the mess that became my message. It only became realized when I willingly went down what felt like a wrong path.

I would love to say, “Follow your passion and link it to God’s calling.” However, this statement is not entirely true. My passion is what gives fuel to what I am called to do; however, it is not my calling. My passion for sharing is real and you can hear it, in today’s podcast episode.

Your passion is not your ministry. Rather, it is where your heart is residing. Don’t be afraid to ask Jesus to give you a heart for what he calls you, to do. You will find that your interests are directed in a specific direction. What is grabbing your attention? What books are you reading or YouTube video are you watching? Does it line up with God’s Word?

Spend time in prayer and seek God’s counsel before charging ahead. Don’t be afraid to go talk with your pastor. Pastors are called to be the shepherd of the flock that you’re a member of. If you have trusted mature Christian friends then talk with them.

In everything, it is important to remember this simple advice from Jesus:

³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 [NASB]