If you were reading here to find the magical solution to writing great content, becoming a technical pro, or amassing huge amounts of subscribers and followers on Twitter and Facebook, then you’ll be disappointed.
But I hope you won’t be disappointed when I tell you that–even if your content won’t win a Pulitzer, you don’t know what SEO or HTML mean, and the only people who read your blog are your best friend and your mom–you’re already an A-List blogger.
You read that right.
You are already an A-List Blogger.
Trying to Fit In
We’ve all been there, trying to find our place and feeling unpopular in the blogosphere.
Sometimes, joining a Twitter conversation feels a little like your being the shy freshman wanting to hang with the popular senior cheerleaders. Maybe you just admire the so-called A-Listers, because they must be doing something right to have the steady traffic and buzz around their blogs. And well, you want to do it “right,” because after all, you want people to read your blog.
But maybe you’re discouraged. Do you question that you’ve got what it takes to have a successful blog? Do you wonder, why bother?
You and Your Blog Matter
Personally, I’ve covered every one of these emotions: zealous enthusiasm, covetousness, and apathy.
I have found a certain freedom, though, in reminding myself of what I know to be true:
In God’s economy, we are all A-List Bloggers.
We are Christians who blog, and the blogosphere is just another aspect of “the world.”
We are called to go into the world as representatives of Christ. The same truths apply to us in the blogosphere as in our private lives.
I’m not sure why we feel intimidated by other bloggers—especially Christian women bloggers—who seem to have “successful” blogs. I think it has something to do with the way we tie “holiness” to perceived success. I tend to feel that if I’m not as “successful” with my activities (parenting, hobbies, or blogging, for example) as my friend, then somehow I’m falling short in the Christian living department.
In Christ, we are all guaranteed the same inheritance (Ephesians 1) and set apart for holy purposes (2 Timothy 2).
Of course your blog matters! It matters because it’s an extension of your witness of Christ.
Living the Truth
How can we better grasp these truths? Consider these ideas:
- Earnestly seek God’s plan for your blog. Ask him how he would like it to be used to bless and minister to you, your family, your readers. Ask your husband how he sees it fitting into your family. Ask your readers why they read your blog and what is a blessing to them. Pray for and about your blog.
- Once you discover God’s plan, accept it. The plans and goals for your blog may be limited to updates three times each week with pictures of the kids so their grandparents are blessed. God, however, may desire your blog be a central hub for inspirational writings and a prayer ministry. Approach the Lord with open hands, an open mind, and an open heart to determine his plan for you.
- Read others’ blogs but turn off the comparisons. I have to do this with mothering. I am so quick to fall into the I-want-to-be-like-her trap. That’s sin, though. If you can’t read others’ blogs without being critical of yourself or losing sight of your goals, then maybe you should stop reading (at least for awhile). God has made other women with unique gifts and situations to unfold his purposes for them. God has given you specific gifts and situations so that only you can work the plan he has for you!
- Blog to the glory of God. This doesn’t mean every post has to be an Oswald Chambers devotion. On the contrary! Even the most “mundane” of tasks is mentioned in Scripture as bringing glory to God. Paul says our eating and our drinking should glorify God. I’d say a mommy blog about cooking and changing diapers and loving your husband would be an excellent place to display the glory of the Lord. Your blog can be a testimony of God’s grace as you carry out his calling for you.
Tomorrow
We’ll discuss putting your blog in its proper place. How do you (or should you) make decisions about the way your blog fits into your life? Are you motivated by seeking notoriety or by seeking God first?
Image: Crestock.com
Thank you for this post!
Beautifully written. I’ve gone through all those emotions at one time or another and have come to the reality that my blog is what it is. I’d have to change in order for my blog to change and I’m not sure that’s going to happen any time soon. Not unless the Lord does something drastic! LOL!
So just be yourself and that alone will attract a certain type of person. There is someone out there for everyone and not everyone likes the same things. So just be you!
Hugs
Kim
Thank you for this post! Yes, I admit that at times I get downright depressed going to a Christian woman’s blog and seeing her hundreds of followers, dozens of comments, and a blog post that I could have written (i.e. nothing particularly special) and I think, “Why?” “What am I doing ‘wrong’?” I continually come back to the foundation of why I am blogging–It’s God’s Blog! I want to be His pen–the pen of a ready writer. I’m reminded of the prophets in the Old Testament, who said exactly what God told them, and were the most despised, lonely, unpopular guys on the block. I haven’t cared about popularity, or let it bother me for years (and I have *no* desire to return to high school!) so I will keep my focus on the Lord and leave the results to Him. I will prioritize according to His will and His Word (God, husband, family first). Fame and earthly glory are fleeting. A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. Thank you for encouraging our focus to be single! You shall be blessed!!
Wendy @ Faith’s Firm Foundation
Thank you for sharing this post. It spoke volumes to me. I have been falling into the trap of thinking my writing is mine. It’s the Lord’s. Thanks so much for this reminder!
Thanks for the great posts about blogging…I am new here, butI I look forward to reading them all. They are very helpful.
God Bless,
~Michelle
Thanks for your words of wisdom. I feel very blessed to be able to write from my heart and share what God has done in my life. I know that it is some times easy to fall into traps of what others are doing and stuff. I try and focus on what my gifts are and be blessed by others – by visiting their sites and being blessed by what they are gifted in – instead of wishing “I had what she had.”
Thanks again! Blessings to you!!
Cindy
What an excellent article on blogging! Personally, I don’t have much energy or time to blog just for something to do. Like many Faithful Bloggers, I blog to encourage Christian women in their high calling as wives and mothers. I find that often I have a burning desire to share something that God has done in my life and I find that blogging is a wonderful medium for that. I try not to look at others’ blogs and feel inferior: like all things in life, there are always blogs that are less or more informative, popular and well-written than mine! I just have to keep doing mine! Blessings! Glenys
Your right! I look at my blog as a ministry. I just let my personality soar and the Lord will send the right people.
Great post. I used to always compare my blog to the successful single mom bloggers out there. And recently when God laid it on my heart to let that blog ‘die’ (my Adventures of a Single WAHM blog) and start a new one where I blog about my faith, etc I was like but God I’ve been blogging there for over 4 years and I’ve got a good following of people, etc. But you know what once I let it go and started my new one suddenly I didn’t find that I was comparing myself to the other Christian bloggers out there but enjoying having a blog where I could freely write about God, my faith, church, etc. Now I just have to make sure that as time goes on and I work on glorifying God and building my readership up that I don’t ever fall into the I-want-to-be-like-her sin like I did in the past with the old blog!
It’s the perennial problem of comparing ourselves to others and wanting more followers to know we are doing good work. I really like what you said about the reason for comparing–it makes us feel holier, more accepted by the Lord, even more useful to Him. Maybe if I focus on that lie the enemy is feeding me, I will have victory in just writing for the Lord on my blog.
Thank you for a great post.
Blessings,
Janis
What an encouraging post! As a new blogger, I believe I have experienced all the emotions and attitudes you mentioned, already.
Thanks for reminding us to stay focused on why we all started blogging in the first place.
Also enjoyed everyone’s comments.
Blessings to you all,
Marsha
Oh, gosh, Mary I loved this article! What a blessing it was to me! Rarely do I read through an entire post…even if it’s one that I like. Not only did I read through, but I wrote notes and am going to pray about the specifics. I do pray about my blog, but I think it’s rather general. You have helped me see where I need to be more specific.
Thank you again very much.
Angela
P.S. Have you ever seen Ann Voskamp’s the “Blogger’s Prayer?” Love it.
Thank you all for such encouraging words. I am pleased that God has used the post to speak to you.