Showing up

Do you find it difficult to show up for certain things, or people, in your life? You hear a voice that tells you to do something but ignore it? Maybe someone “pops” into your mind and you think “I should text/call them” but it goes no further than that; life gets in the way (a favorite excuse of mine).

Maybe you do show up but are not fully present or giving everything you know you can to the task at hand? You made the call but you half-listened, busying yourself with some other activity while they talk; not fully present in the moment? Maybe you are physically present but your mind is literally elsewhere?

Confession

I have not been showing up in the department of writing. Every day I hear that voice saying “this would be a good topic to discuss on your blog”. Write something on your blog. Bring BP back to life (my main character in a script collecting dust on my shelf).

I go to bed that night thinking, “tomorrow I’ll do it”, and then I don’t.

I noticed the last time I posted something on this site was last November. My script, I can’t even tell you. Wow, let me show you how to NOT show up!

No time

For me, I use the excuse of time. I need a block of quiet time to write productively. With the holidays and house remodel, quiet is hard to find. Plus I’m busy doing x, y, z. So, instead of showing up at all, I squelch the promptings and put them on the back burner.

But these are just excuses. I don’t know about you but I’m great at making excuses!

Listening to promptings

So today I decided to show up; I even got up early to write (six hours ago!). But, I’m here now, committing myself to writing for an hour. To show up fully for one hour (even though I am so tempted to click on the other tab in my browser to check my mail).

I believe those little tappings or voices we receive come from God. He knows we need to take action if we want our desires to become reality. I believe He’s prompting us to go after these desires He’s placed in our hearts; to fully be the person He created us to be.

God knows what’s going on in other people’s life. If He’s placed someone on our hearts, ignoring that means we’re probably missing out on an opportunity to bless that person, or be blessed by them. It also might be to hear their voice one last time. We don’t know, but He does.

Although this last thought sounds morbid, I share because it happened to me, twice. Twice I was prompted to reach out to someone but didn’t find the time to do it. Twice, I never got the chance to talk with either of these people again. I had to experience loss in order for me to become obedient. I call now without hesitation.

NOT listening to doubts

Why commit for an hour if you can’t commit to completing the blog? Isn’t that being “half-assed”? You were supposed to write first-thing. You think that’s “showing up fully”?

Do you see how easy it is for me to justify NOT showing up? My butt’s glued to this chair. I’m not leaving this desk. I haven’t checked my email or phone. So yes, I am showing up fully for an hour. If I do more, great. If I don’t, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

I believe those questioning voices, those excuses that come to mind, come from the enemy. The enemy does not want us to fully step into that beautiful person God designed. Why would he want us to be loving to ourselves or to other people? That would please God, his enemy.

The enemy wants us to be afraid because he knows that will prevent us from taking action. If he’s lucky, we’ll begin to doubt God. There is nothing wrong with being afraid, unless we allow it to immobilize us. We can be afraid and still step forward; be brave and afraid at the same time.

Afraid & Brave

It seems silly to say it takes bravery to write or do whatever God has placed in our hearts. It takes bravery to share yourself completely with others, which I believe ultimately is what God desires us to do. We are all blessed with gifts that vary, gifts we can use to love and bless others.

What tappings/promptings have you been ignoring? Can you show up, even for an hour? Can you be brave and step forward, showing up fully, in spite of whatever fears are running through you?

Prayer

The Lord is our strength and shield; our hearts trust in Him and He helps us. Thank you for the plans you have crafted for us. Please silent the enemy’s voice and help us to listen to your promptings, bravely stepping fully into the beautiful humans you created us to be. Psalm 28:7