We spend most of our waking hours investing our time, money, and talents in the hope of earning a return on these investments. It’s a risky business — never knowing whether we will win big or lose everything. The only certainty in investing our time, money, and talents is that something will change.
Over the past four months, I have been investing most of my free time writing. I enjoy it; it’s cathartic. Sometimes I sketch out a series of posts for this blog, and other times I struggle to write a single post. My Little Book of Big Ideas is filled with short stories, attempts at Haiku, themes, outlines, and verses to include in future posts. My goal for the year is to become more confident as a writer and to take risks that will get me closer to the ultimate goal of becoming a published author in the traditional sense. I’ve been told by one friend that I’m taking a big risk by writing about religion. Ever the teacher, I used that statement as a teachable moment. “I do not write about religion; I write about the goodness of God. I write about the power of partnerships. I write about every day life as seen through a spiritual lens.” This friend, I can only assume, has surely not read any of my posts. Another friend even said that I won’t make any money by only appealing to the Bible Thumpers of the world. Again, I affixed my glasses to the tip of my nose as I do when I’m attempting to lessen the amount of snark that will soon spew forth. I smiled slightly and said “Money is not my motive. Read a little about me on my home page. I want to win souls for Christ. That’s the battle I wake up to fight each day. That is my motive.” Another friend of mine said that I need to ignore the haters. That comment stunned me temporarily and quickened my heart–making me stop and think for a minute about what that actually means.
I truly hope that no one I know has invested any time in hatING me. What a waste of time! Expending that much energy hatING anyone or anything is pointless. What can one gain from investing time on the hatred of others? What is the return on years of hatING? More hate? I can’t won’t tell you how to invest your time. It’s your choice — your free will determines what you will do.
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ~Matthew 10:22 (NIV)
If you take a few minutes to assess what hatING does to you, perhaps you will reconsider investing your time, money, and talents there and redirecting your efforts elsewhere.
What HatING Does
- Robs you of valuable time
- Destroys relationships
- Distracts you from important things
- Offers no return on your investment
- Has no effect on the one you hate
- Shrouds you in darkness
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. ~1 John 2:11 (KJV)
Surely I know that we have all been wronged in some way. People say and do vile things to us that could warrant hatred. Watch the evening news for five minutes, and you will see hate illustrated in living color — hatred over political disagreements, hatred over perceived slights, hatred over love. Hate begets hate, and it leads us down a dark path — an unsafe path — marked with pain and suffering. Nothing good dwells there. If you’re already on that path, you know it well. You know this path leads to ruin.
But there’s always hope –hope that tomorrow will be different, hope that you will change your mind and your heart, hope that this season of hatred will soon expire. In order to do it, you must declare it today and begin rebuilding what has been destroyed. Invest in love.
What Loving Does
- Adds value to your time
- Builds relationships
- Attracts you to important things
- Guarantees a return on your investment
- Greatly impacts those you love
- Shrouds you in light
Spending time in the word of God, praying throughout the day, fellowshipping with like-minded people, surrounding myself with positive things, and sharing my journey with others through this blog are investments that I see a return on daily. Your encouragement, comments, reblogs, likes, and shares are the tangible evidence that my investments are paying off, and for that, I sincerely thank you.
Love,
Michelle
Write because God has called you to write. God already knows where your walk and writing of faith will lead. Trust in Him. I appreciate you and your writing and invest my time to read each of your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for investing time to support me. You and I both know that we can’t avoid the nudge of the holy spirit to do what we’ve been called to do. Life is so much better when we answer the call. Enjoy your day, Rick. 🙂
I appreciate a plan. I also appreciate the way you consistently promote lovING and supportING others. Excellent post, Michelle.
Thanks, my friend…love to you on this beautiful Sunday!
Love this M! I thank you for continuing to sow your gifts and seeds into people you may never meet as well as those you know and love. Thank you for pouring into me and reminding me of why we are called to do what we do-to draw people closer or introduce them to the One who has been and still is the Master of lovING us best! This encouraged my heart today. I, too, need to get back to writING!
Heeey! Good to hear from you. Yes!! We need to hear your voice. Start writing soon.
I agree! Thank you for posting this valuable advice in a positive way. HuggING you, Lori
Wow, thanks for the hug! Right back at ya! 🙂
I like your attitude. Write because it’s what you sense God is calling you to do, and because you enjoy it. I wonder if any of your “advisors” are really writers themselves. It sounds to me like they don’t know what makes writers “tick.”
Hi Michael. 🙂 Attitude affects everything! Perhaps you noticed that I italicized the word friend in two instances. Sometimes “advisors” offer unsolicited advice that doesn’t add value to your life. I listened; I didn’t stop what God asked me to do.
To your friend who says to stay away from writing about religion and to the other who says you’ll make no money in it (I know that’s not your motive) I have two words…Joel Osteen! You are so right in what you say about hating, and the one you hate doesn’t even know nor care about all the time and energy you spend hating them. You keep right and write on with your posts they are encouraging, positive and uplifting!
Thanks so much, Deb. I truly believe that those who need to see these posts will see them. 🙂
I believe you are right! 🙂
Keep on writing about what you know and love! That’s the only way you can produce a masterpiece one day. If you really believe in something no one can stop you achieve it, even though they will try. Good luck and don’t stop writING 😊
Thanks, my friend. 🙂
Thank you for another Lenten gift! Your writing is inspirational and always makes me reflect.
You’re welcome, Sherry. Thanks so much for reading.
Hi Michelle,
There are ways to maintain our dignity even in the most hating circumstances…let the haters hate. 😀
You talking about a timing post? I just finished today writing a post on the world being haters. You best believe Satan have his demons going around trying to knock us off our square.
He not only uses friends he will use family too. But they really hating on God and not you.
We just let them invest with no return while you and I invest in doing God’s will and watch our investments flip.
Great post I just had to link it to my post.
Blessing,
Vernon
Thanks, Vernon. Take care!
I equally don’t write about religion, but rather choose to dwell on God’s grace and goodness that surrounds us if we choose to embrace it.We actually don’t win souls by our thumping the bible actions, but by the love that we show and live. Good post Michelle.
Thanks for reading and sharing this piece. 🙂
Well said Michelle. Why should one struggle to separate you from the very reason as to why you exist. i promised myself to write about God, salvation, Jesus Christ as much as possible because that is what defines me.