Do It For The Vine
I’ve had “Urban Disciple”, the blog, for almost 2 years now. I had many blogs in the past and was quite active with Tumblr and WordPress: I really got creative with my first WordPress site, “Bittersweet Lemonade”, back in January 2010; it was my freshman English class project when I attended Virginia Commonwealth University. The only requirement was that I had to be consistent in making blogposts. Fair enough for me—a granted A.
In 2013, after months of not going on a reblogging spree, I revisited my tumblr. Not long after logging on, a sister in Christ asked me what I was doing. Without thinking, I sent her a link to my Tumblr. Within seconds, I was disgusted with the blog and most importantly, the material that was posted on the screen. It was filled with nudity, carnal thoughts and lawlessness. Disregarding my logic, I deleted the blog. I desired for it to be gone, as if it never existed. Then, sister in Christ, then texted me, saying she couldn't view the blog. "Good," I thought, "neither should anyone else."
Soon after “Urban Disciple” was created. I didn't really have much in mind when I created it, except to use my gift, to write and glorify God. I didn't have a distinct audience, objectives, aim, and all that goes into creating a branded blog and site. My first written post was “Modern Day Judas”. I sent the link to some friends and the rest was history. When we create such a platform for God to be glorified, He will do wonders.
Like all great writers, I developed a case of writer's block:
writ·er block
ˈrīdər/ bläk
- a mental disablement of one's creative abilities, which hinders their ability to write a sentence.
- the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.
But the weird thing is that, I had writers block for months. In 2014, I wrote only one blog post. Welp. Honestly, I didn't have Writers block—I just wasn't abiding in God.
No, don't get me wrong or misunderstood. I wasn't sinning. I just wasn't receiving from God, concerning my blog. Every word I’ve written or series I’ve done, I didn't write on my own strength: Holy Spirit would just lay the topic on my heart and open my eyes on how to go about writing it.
As a believer, it is wise to seek God's face for the blueprint (the road map) in all aspects of your life. Whether it's your education, your relationship with others, your career and most importantly, your ministry. You honestly can't do it on your own strength.
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 NIV
It's best to ask God things concerning areas of your life and receive revelations on how to handle situations and issues pertaining to them:
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 NIV
Many of the time, we try to balance it all, on our own strength. We fail to come to the realization that, it's not us, but God working in and through us. He empowers us to do what we love and are called to do.
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Anybody can do what you are doing. Many did it before you, and many more will do if after you. But not too many of them have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can help you take your ministry, career, or education to the next level. He reveals things that you can do to really stand out in the crowd and make you distinctively different from the next person.
When we humble ourselves, just removing ourselves from the matter, but create an environment for God to be glorified and for Him to speak life into us, so much fruit will be bore. So next time, you want to lay the foundation for anything in life, don't do it for the branches, but do it #ForTheVine.
