Hey everyone! 

I know it’s been a minute! But as we should all know by now, this is a — come on, say it with me — JOURNEYYY!! Lol. (I feel like I say that in all my posts)

But I don’t really have a reason for being missing … I just haven’t posted. I haven’t had anything to say for real … Nothing of quality at least …

I’ll just start by saying … my blog is very personal to ME. But I’ve also come to realize it’s not just about me, it’s also a platform … a spiritual platform for people wanting to grow in their faith … And with that comes responsibility right? And just like anything, I really take pride in putting out authenticity. I don’t want to just put stuff out there just for the sake of posting. I want my heart to be in it, and I really hope for you all to feel that within my posts. 

And so sometimes, the posts are drafted, but never posted. And all the while, time keeps moving. And before I know it, here we are… lol.

But while away … I think I discovered a new spiritual gift – teaching. 

There are numerous spiritual gifts. You can have one gift or even multiple gifts. Some people receive their gifts sooner and some later. Sometimes we don’t even know what our gifts are, or that God has even put that gift within us. 
(For some places where spiritual gifts are talked about in the bible, refer to 1 Corinthians 12:8-10; Romans 12; and/or Ephesians 4)

So lets start with, What is a Spiritual Gift? They are supernatural abilities that God gives you for the purpose of building His kingdom and serving others (these are things GOD can do THROUGH you — these things are specifically designed to glorify God, edify the church, and advance His will). 

For so long, I wasn’t sure what my spiritual gift(s) was. But as I’m growing my relationship with God, I’m starting to believe that, so far, I possess the gifts of discernment and teaching. 

Discernment = the ability to distinguish between spirits and whether something is truly from God 

Teaching = the ability to analyze, explain, and communicate biblical truths (or other things) in a way that helps others easily understand 
**I say “other things” because I also believe teaching can be a talent

What is a talent? They are natural abilities you are born with or can develop over time through good practice (these are things YOU can do — they are not inherently tied to spiritual growth — they primarily benefit you and others and typically generate income, create opportunities, or provide enjoyment). 

Now … while, I do believe I possess the gift of discernment, it’s one gift that I believe I take for granted if that makes sense … Like, sometimes I can often discern things IMMEDIATELY, but I often ignore it and/or down play it. I sometimes ignore the “signs”; I prioritize my personal desires; I may even fall victim to pressure; or extend unwarranted grace. And it’s not that I don’t know … I choose or look for ways NOT to know. 

And for some reason, I also hide this gift and hold it closest to me. However, recently, I heard “you have to submit to your gifts and allow them to be discipled”. Your submission determines how good your gift is. (Even Jesus submitted. He didn’t perform miracles until God gave Him the go ahead) You also should allow someone to mentor and help you develop and use your gifts. 

Now when it comes to this new gift — teaching … it has actually been in my face the entire time, but I never paid attention.

This blog is something I like to do. I’ve learned that writing and storytelling is something I’m good at. I do it well, and over time, it gets better and better. Writing is a talent; and so is storytelling. Those talents have led me to teaching. I don’t just write for fun, but writing is also a part of my job — writing persuasive motions or arguments; teaching and explaining the law to clients so that they understand; etc. Writing this blog. Teaching you what I’ve learned about faith and God’s word; writing about how I apply that word to my own life — all the while hoping to motivate and influence you and your walk with God. I mean … I’ve literally been teaching all this time. Lol

And since discovering that this platform is not only something I like to do, but that it’s also a gift … I plan to cherish it. So blog posts won’t always come consistently or at a rapid pace. I want to always make sure that I am putting out something of substance. It’s not just about me … So, if my heart posture isn’t right, I won’t post. 

And I sincerely hope that you all can understand that. That you will keep reading and continue to follow the blog. That you will stick on this journey WITH me. Because let me be clear, I haven’t given up. This faith walk isn’t for show. I’m still reading my bible. I’m still attending church. I’m still seeking out God in any and everything, in order to build my relationship with Him. 

But I now realize why I haven’t been able to post and post and post. It’s not that I’m not consistent or that I’ve lost the passion (speaking out loud to myself). I just learned that my blog is ALSO a responsibility. Now honestly, that wasn’t my intention. I intended for this blog to be a sort of therapeutic release, a way to share my experiences while on this journey, and also have evidence of how much I’ve learned and grown over time. But I now know it’s so much more than that. And I’m okay with that. I mean, after all, I do hope that my posts encourage you to step out on faith; read your bible; and build a stronger relationship with God. 

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” James 3:1

This blog is about us … you and me. So, my words, here, matter. 

TAKE AWAY: 
1. Take your time!
2. Whatever you do, do it with authenticity, and strive to create substance. 
3. Sometimes it’s not just all about you!

Things to look forward to:
#FaithfulBibleGems – a peek inside my bible notes. Little treasures from God’s word. Get your notebooks out because number 1 is on the way!