For the first 21 years of my life, I was quite reserved, in fact, frankly shy. To my surprise, once I left the nest and flew to the army family, everything gradually began to change.
I can clearly remember completing my basic officer training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, only to be assigned three more months of basic training in a secondary MOS (military occupational specialty) as a future communications officer.
That crucial period launched me into a career in communication that continues to this day. For years, I did not consider myself very communicative, but little by little I came to appreciate and accept this very special gift.
Let’s take a closer look at this special gift. A communicator is simply a person who is able to convey or exchange information, news, or ideas in a clever and elegant way. Again, it may not be that simple. Discipline requires diligence and practice to properly develop the art of communicating with the desired audience. In my communication effort, the written word, I have gradually realized that God has made a personal call to me to communicate.
Jesus, in Matthew 22:14, concludes his parable of the wedding feast with these few words: “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” I have always found this phrase quite stimulating in my Christian walk.
Allow me to share how I personally consider these words of my Savior and Lord. The Word is presented to everyone, but only a few listen to it and even less act passionately on it. Our Heavenly Father knows who will respond to the call made to the masses.
Let me share a few words about this concept of being called by God. I don’t consider myself special at all. This is what I have come to understand: I am truly blessed that God has found pleasure in using this humble servant to communicate His story through brief essays that will hopefully bring others closer to Him.
It gives me chosen words that I trust flow like a clear, fresh stream. As one of his many messengers of the Good News, I constantly pray for my words to resonate with his Word.
Sometimes these essays begin perhaps with joy, and often the subject deals with current circumstances that deserve good discussion. Hopefully, each essay will catch your eye to read it to the end.
The passages for reflection at the end of each discussion on fourth quarter strategies are presented to complement the topic and demonstrate the true source of the words being conveyed. Because they come from the inerrant words of Scripture, they deserve your full attention.
In the opinion of this writer, I cannot think of any more relevant use of my writing energies than to present my Savior and Lord to those who are not yet convinced, as well as to those who may be struggling in their journey of faith during these difficult times.
To God be the glory and the honor and the praise!
Passages to meditate
Isaiah 40: 3-8
Mark 1: 2-5
Romans 10: 16-18
Hebrews 3: 7-9
»Revelation 3: 19-22
– Jim Langley has been writing for over 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, her passion has become to write about her personal relationship with God, and her goal is to encourage others to draw close to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he began writing fourth-quarter strategy columns in 2014, and now reaches an international audience through CBMC’s devotional Monday Manna. You can contact [email protected] for more information. Click here for the previous columns. The opinions expressed are their own.
