This is part two of finding your blogs purpose. You may notice that I say purpose verses niche. This series of posts will explain why: Blog Niche Series part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.
Yesterday, in part one of finding your blog purpose (vs. niche), you were given the task of writing down all of the things that you envisioned your blog to be or contain. Then you were told to code it. Get that ready because we are going to refer to it and decode it in just a bit. First, I want you to go and read Hebrews 12 and 13. Read with anticipation of having God speak to you. This is a necessary part of finding your blog purpose. You can read it online here: Hebrews 12, Hebrews 13.
I hope that as you read those two chapters that you listened for His nudging. I can only do so much to help you. Ultimately, it is up to you to hear His voice and listen for His specific will for your life.
Look over your list. Things should start to become clearer to you at this point. You are at a crossroads. Do you blog for you? Or do you blog for Him?
If you blog for you then you are limited. If you blog for Him then you are open to endless opportunity. On my list I had several things written down: testimony, divorce, homemaking, parenting, recipes, Cajun history and ways, creative, health, bible studies, and blogging were just a few. I found that many were highlighted, had asterisks, and were circled. The reason is because it is all about the perspective from which you view them.
I could post recipes because they are highly searchable. I am also gifted at altering them to make them healthier and more tasty. But if I look at it from God’s perspective then He gifted me with the creativity to do that and the platform to share it. He can use that highly searchable recipe to bring others to the site who may need to read something else I wrote. He can use it for things I can’t even comprehend. If I make Him the focus then in the end we all excel because that is how God works. I am limited. He is not.
My blog purpose is to inspire others to look at things differently – to help them overcome certain mindsets. This is a reflection of the scripture that God has given me over and over- Isaiah 57:14. I do that by sharing my experiences and the knowledge I’ve gained from studying, researching, and observing. My creativity allows me to share it in varying subjects and in a variety of ways. My blogs purpose is in line with His will because it fits the ultimate goal of building the kingdom of God. It specifically does that by creating a strong core of community, family, and relationship with Him.
Almost everything on my list, with the exception of a few that were completely for selfish reasons, can be used for Him simply by looking at them differently and focusing on His purpose for them. That gives me a clean heart before Him concerning it. You can have that too. Yours may not be so broad. It may be very specific and that is fine too. As long as it is where He leads you.
You already have before you all of the content and topics that you can utilize for your blog. The key is to do it with a heart that is pure before Him and to do it to build His kingdom. If you want to hone it then I recommend you go with what you most excel at or, this may surprise you, what you have the most difficulty with. With the first we learn from your experience, with the second we watch your transformation and become inspired to change something in our lives. Ultimately, listen to what He leads you to. If you have figured it out or simply received confirmation then I’d love to hear about it in the comments section.
I want to leave you with something I found last night. I was up until midnight attempting to catch up on blogs and such. I haven’t done that in months but I really just wanted to check in on a few people. One of the blogs I frequent is by a lady that I simply adore: Ann Voscamp from A Holy Experience. She is one of those people who gives you such hope that you can see past your circumstances and look at the situation through His eyes. While I was there I found this post about “upside down blogging” and I thought that maybe you could find some inspiration from it. She also has a new book out called One Thousand Gifts. I pre-ordered it last night. I can’t wait to receive it. I hope she gives you some hope in your blogging journey.
Find the rest of the series here: 31 Days to Online Ministry
Also check out:
- Missed BlissDom 2011? Get It Here. It’s just like being there!
- ? 31 Days to Build a Better Blog – Easy step by step ways to improve your blog presence!
I commented this morning, but I don’t see that comment. If you’re moderating comments, you can just delete this one, as it will be largely the same.
Amy, this series of posts has been such an answer to prayer for me! I have been thinking about the purpose and direction of my blog, and your posts have helped to lead me to the answer. I wrote about it, if you’d like to read more:
http://www.frugalcreativity.com/2011/01/future-of-this-blog.html
Thank you!
Amy, these messages have been an answer to prayer for me! I wrote all of the details in a blog post, which is the link above, if you’d like to read it.
Thank you so much!
I am so grateful that God led you to do this series. It is exactly what I needed! Like Rena I originally started my blog as a way to satisfy my desire to write AND possibly open doors to publishing. However, God has brought me back to His desire and that is for me to be first and foremost, seeking Him.
My key verses for 2011 are Matthew 6:33 and Jeremiah 17:8. My first priority is God, my second is to fulfill my role of wife, mother, and grandmother. Only then can I find contentment in my third priority of ministering to women through the avenues He presents.
So while I am extremely interested in all you will teach us about improving our presence in the bloggy world, I am humbly grateful that you are showing us where our true focus must remain in how you have started this series. It has helped me put into words where I want my blog to go and what its purpose must always be. I am excited to see where He is leading us!
i am LOVING this little series! thank you!!!
I absolutely love Ann! She has an amazing gift for writing so eloquently. I’m in awe of He uses the varied blogs I frequent. What I love about them (including yours) is that He is using each person so uniquely.
It’s been nearly three years since I started blogging. Ultimately, what I’ve found is that I had to completely step away from it on more than one occasion in order to refocus. As you are saying here, to basically examine my heart, my motives. For quite a while I pressured myself to blog frequently, at least every week day. The pressure was not from Him.
I have several favorite blogs that write daily or at least during the weekdays. I LOVE that about them! BUT, it’s because that is their liberty. Them being free in who they are in Him. I love that I can for the most part count on those posts being up. Even if I don’t have time to read them every day.
At the same time, those who do not blog on a set time or even frequent basis, bless me as well. As long as they are being who they are in Him–allowing Him to speak through them. Sometimes funny every day humor, sometimes deep and meaningful, teaching, edifying, exhorting. And then of course those recipes and tips.
I’m grateful that you’re doing this series. I know how much I struggled on and off with this whole blogging process and I’m certain others do as well. Although I originally started my blog because I wanted to write and hoped for open doors, now I blog because I want to share. For me, that means parenting, grand-parenting, marriage and divorce. It means lots of humor from my four-year-old, yet sharing some of life’s hard stuff like more recently (Dec) my little sister’s story of addiction, jail, treatment and most importantly, His work in her life. I absolutely want to write more often. BUT, I cannot allow myself to push for that. I must wait. I have to. I desperately need His leading and timing.
I stopped tagging my posts although I absolutely understand and agree that it is a great tool in searching. I may pick that back up again one day. But for me, I had to stop. I’ve been to focused on stats and even comments. I just want to focus on Him. I say that all the while admitting that I am so not there! It’s a daily walk. I’ll think I’m so past it. So don’t care. And then I find myself questioning the lack of comments, etc. Listen self, it DOES NOT MATTER! That was to me, of course.
I apologize for rambling. I want to end in saying again that I’m glad you’re doing this. His purpose first! Honing our skills, second.