A Word From the BCG Team
My first conversation of the day began with a text among close friends. One said, “It’s sobering to see how very quickly our world has been shaken. I often find that all I can say in response to the news is “Jesus.” He is all we need. He is more than enough.”
We checked in on one another, shared prayer requests, and provided updates on family and ministry. As I looked at our thread it was clear—though none of us has tested positive for the Coronavirus, COVID-19 was affecting each of our lives in significant ways.
In John 16, Jesus told his disciples of things to come. Christ spoke of events that would bring great joy. He also spoke of situations that would bring great grief. The book of John wraps up with verse 33.
John 16:33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Isn’t this particular verse encouraging? I find John 16:33 both comforting and challenging, causing me to shift my focus from the newsfeed back to Jesus, the One who has overcome the world. As my focus changes, I’m also reminded I have a purpose—a specific message(s) that I feel compelled to share. And, you most likely do, too.
For many of us, we feel we have a God-given message we are meant to tell others. As diverse a group as we are, our specific calling will often look different, but for many of us we have commonality. We know God has given us a message of hope, healing, encouragement, challenge, joy, prayer, and the list goes on, to share. We have a God-given purpose.
This is the burning thought on our minds: How can we pray for you?
- In the midst of the turmoil of COVID-19, how can we pray for the advance of your call and message?
- How can we pray about your pursuit of what God has placed within you?
- How can we pray for the potential of unexpected time, allowing you to work on the projects burning in your soul to get out?
As serious as we are about hand-washing, disinfecting, social distancing, and other practical precautions, we are equally as serious about the power of prayer to affect positive change and move God’s heart. During this global crisis, if you or someone you know has a specific prayer need about your creative calling (or anything else), email michele@brookstonecreativegroup.com, and our team will join voices and spiritual arms to lift you or the person you refer, up.
In addition, we at Brookstone Creative Group have put together a few practical insights to help you remain focused on God’s plans for your life. Let’s face it, a purposeful distraction is a healthy distraction helping to combat anxiety, fear, and other debilitating emotions. The enemy tries to use our fearful emotions against us, keeping us from fulfilling the big ideas God plants in our minds, but through faith over fear, let’s join forces to defeat him.
Clear focus is a great weapon. We pray these tips will help you organize your thoughts and make forward progress.
- Clarify your message by asking yourself these questions
- Who is my audience?
- What are their felt needs?
- What do I offer that can be a solution to those needs?
- How will I bring my message to this audience—through spoken or written word—or both?
- What is the intended reader/audience take-away?
- Be intentional with your message
- Outline your message.
- Research the proper time for a spoken message to be given.
- Research the proper word count for your genre.
- Gather appropriate research—biblical, interviews, studies, statistics, articles.
- Discover how others are delivering a similar message to determine how yours will be unique.
- Focus on your message
- Pray for clarity, direction, and Divine inspiration.
- Write consistently. Get words on paper or screen, daily.
- Advance little by little, day by day.
Yes, our world has been shaken, but we have a choice in how we use the time available to us. We can focus on the uncertainty and circumstances we cannot change OR we can get busy in bringing Good News to those who need to hear it. We hope these tips help you make unexpected progress according to God’s promise in Ephesians 3:20-21, and that our prayers enact Christ’s peace that passes all human understanding.
Prayerfully,
Suzanne
