A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it, it just blooms -Sensei Ogui

Do you often feel inadequate when you look around and see the accomplishments of others? As a writer, I feel that way every time I read a great book or an article. I feel like I will never be able to write the riveting drama and captivating stories like some of the best-known authors have written.

It was those very thoughts that held me captive for years. I spent a lot of time writing in my journals but was always fearful of writing for the public. I felt I wasn’t good enough. I worried about grammar and punctuation errors. I wondered if anyone even cared about what I had to say.

I hesitated to start a blog for the same reasons, but I always felt God nudging me to write for him.  To be completely honest, I don’t desire to be famous or have thousands of followers on Facebook or Twitter.  However, I do feel passionate about writing the things God places on my heart as I read his word and study the scriptures.

My journal entries usually consist of insights gleaned from my daily scripture readings. As much as I enjoy structured Bible study and learning, I feel most content when I’m recording things in my journal that God reveals to me through the scriptures.

At times I still struggle with feeling inadequate and fearful about writing for the public, but I feel I must move forward and write the things God places on my heart.  I believe if God calls us to do something, we must step out in faith and obedience to our calling. The rest is up to God. He has a purpose for our talents.

There are several examples in scripture of people who God called to specific tasks who felt very afraid and inadequate. Two that come to mind are Moses and Jeremiah.

Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4: 10-12)

“O Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. (Jeremiah 1: 6-7)

I find it comforting to know I’m not alone in my fears. There are no perfect people on earth. You probably know a few people in your personal life that God is using in remarkable ways. These people may seem like the most unlikely ones God would call to a certain task, but he is using them to present his message to others. We were not created to be like anyone else. How dull and boring the world would be if we were all the same!

There’s so much pressure to be perfect today. Social media doesn’t help. People are quick to find fault and tear others down over the most trivial things. Constructive criticism is helpful, but hateful criticism can be crippling if we allow it to be.

More than ever, we must look to God and let him show us the best way to use the gifts and talents he equipped us with. It’s okay to listen to our critics and learn from our mistakes, but we should never allow destructive criticism to keep us from doing what God is calling us to do.

Like the flowers, we must bloom where God plants us. There’s no pressure to be like the other flowers in the garden. Every flower is unique and has a beauty of its own.

When we focus on our unique calling, instead of another person’s calling, we are free to be the person God created us to be. We can use our talents without the pressure of comparing ourselves to others.

What is God calling you to do? What unique talents has he given you to use for his glory? What is stopping you from blooming?