Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
This was the verse that came in the mail from my Dwell subscription this month. I read it, then slow blinked at it for a minute. I laughed and shook my head in wonder, because recently (as in the same week the verse arrived) I have been questioning my purpose and my path. So, I did what has become natural: I asked God. I said to Him,
God, I have these platforms and a following on them, and it's great. But what am I supposed to be doing with it? How should I be using them?
And along came my answer, without subtly or ambiguity, but loud and clear. Use your gifts to serve. To you, that may seem vague, but for me it is a sign in bright neon. My gifts are my platform and ability to connect with and entertain others. Therefore, I must use these gifts to help others find their way to God through showing and sharing with them the most amazing gift of all: God's Grace.
You may be wondering, What does that have to do with unanswered prayers? For that, I need to back up a bit. On this aforementioned platform, I have been told countless times things like:
SNL is going to sign you any day now! How are you not on Gutfeld (or Daily Wire, etc.) yet? How do you not have millions of followers? How are you not famous yet?
Listen, I know that sounds like an eye roll worthy humblebrag and invites responses like, You're not that funny, hon. But, the comments are there, they are frequent, and well, they'd gotten in my head. I have been contemplating those FAQs and asking God (along with those other questions):
Why haven't any of these outlets show any interest? What's wrong with me that they're not interested? It's not like people (including yours truly) haven't tagged them. My content has gone viral, so there's a high probability they've seen at least one thing I've done. So.... what gives?
About the same time-ish, I rewatched a sermon from "my" pastor, Pastor John-Paul from Solid Rock at Market Common, where he talked about how God provides. He said,
If you're in a place today where you're not getting what you want, you might be exactly where God wants you to be. If you're uncomfortable, you might be exactly where you’re supposed to be. We think... if we don’t get exactly what we want, if we are uncomfortable, surely something's wrong in our life. You might be exactly where God's wanting you to be today, and he's trying to birth something amazing in your life.
This stopped me in my tracks. But the transformative message didn't stop there. He continued.
Matthew 6:31 Do not worry about what you need. Your father knows what you need. Instead, seek ye first the Kingdom of God and he will provide you with all these other things that you're thinking about that you need. He'll take care of it. If you put him first... I can easily teach you psychologically, emotionally why worry is a sin, but instead, I'm going to teach you why worry's a sin theologically. Here's why: because Jesus said don't do it. Just right there, flat out, he says don't do it. You do it, it's a sin. Here's why it's a sin: worry accuses God of not providing. Worry accuses God...
Talk about a double whammy, huh? The takeaway for me is clear. One: Stop worrying, God will lead & all I have to do is follow where he points. Two: I only think I know what I want, but God knows what I need. And yes, that is good enough for me. Better than good because maybe He is protecting me from those things I think I want. Maybe it's simply not the right time yet. Maybe... there are lots of maybe's, but they don't matter anymore.
I share this with you because you, too, might be going through something similar and you needed the reminder just like I did. Keep working toward your goals, strive for your achieving your dreams, but also ask and listen carefully for His guidance. And like the Garth Brooks song, maybe you'll also thank God for unanswered prayers.
Lifelong Patriot & longtime Police Wife, Elsa Kurt has channeled her fierce love and passion for defending the defenders as the creator, Executive Producer & Host of the Elsa Kurt Show , correspondent and media personality for Right America Media. Her book, Welcome to the Family (Life Behind the Thin Blue Line) has been called the “must have survival guide for new LEO spouses.”
The vocal LEOF advocate is also a multi-genre author who has penned over 25 books, including twelve contemporary women’s novels. Her fiction stories explore the complex and relatable experiences of everyday life – the love & laughter, the heartbreak & sorrow, and everything in between. She finds the extraordinary in ordinary lives and puts you in the front seat of every story. Elsa has also written several children’s books, all with themes of encouragement, empowerment & uplifting messaging.
In 2022, Elsa launched The Writer’s Tribe Talk Show, an audio & video podcast for authors & a line of author merchandise in her Writer’s Tribe Store with clothing and more for authors & aspiring authors. Elsa also created three lines of apparel, accessories, & home decor: EKS Store with show & first responder merchandise, iGoodhuman, and Very Sweary Stuff.
As of 2022, she is the current Vice President of the Connecticut Authors & Publishers Association. Elsa has also embraced the fun and entertaining world of Tik Tok as theotherelsa.
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