Another post wondering: Why am I doing all this; Is it worth it; and What am I here for?
My very first blog, on 25 June 2024, was called, Is it worth it. Jesusontheroad.com/2024/06/
It described my frustration as I set up my website Jesusontheroad.com and finally published my first blog.
Fast forward 3 months – I’ve written blogs and they are being published every week. All good.
I set up a place for readers to comment – on the front page and at the end of every post. For a while there were no comments, then Sandy from Jesus4Generations.com made some comments and I really appreciated that.
Sandy helped me to start a blog in the first place. I’d been writing devotions for our church e-newsletter for a few years, and people had told me they enjoyed reading them. So, I thought, why not spread the word further?
Sandy’s blog was already well established, so I contacted her for advice on setting up my website. She was most encouraging, saying that it’s important for Christians to put some good news on the internet.
Back to the comments: A few more came in – but they were all spam, and probably generated by AI. So I just deleted them.
I wondered if anyone was reading my blog anyway. Jesus4Generations has a blog, and for every post, Sandy also makes a podcast of what she has written in the blog. She said that many people can’t read, or don’t have time to read, but lots of people are listening to podcasts. And she encouraged me to set up a podcast too.
First, I wasn’t ready for that. Just setting up the website with written blogs was enough for a while. Then, a few months later, I thought I would venture into podcasting. That was another BIG learning curve.
After the website, I thought it’d be easy, but I spent days trying to work it out, and I wanted to throw in the towel again. But, now there are podcasts up and I hope you will listen and let me know what you think. jesusontheroad.com/podcast/why-am-i-here/
Even though I had blogs and podcasts, I wondered if anyone was actually reading or listening. Or am I just spitting into the wind?
I thought it would be good to have a subscribe button, so that people could get an email to let them know whenever I posted something new.
Well! Trying to set this up was another huge issue. Days and days of work, and tears, and frustration. And lots of asking dear hubby to step in and help. God bless him. I’ve told him many times that I wouldn’t be able to do anything without his help.
And, once again, I question whether it’s worth it. Both of us have plenty of other things we could or should be doing. I ask myself why am I putting myself, and hubby, through so much stress. It would be easier just to forget the whole thing and say it was too hard. To give up and say been there, tried that, didn’t work.
So why AM I doing this? It’s certainly not for my fame or glory.
I went back to my first blog to answer my WHY question. This is what I wrote:
“My aim is to spread the good news of Jesus to as wide an audience as possible. It’s NOT about me. At my age, I find myself asking questions about the value of my life, and my purpose for being here. In my search for answers, I find that others are asking exactly the same questions.”
Today’s questions: ‘Why am I doing all this?’ and ‘Is it worth it?’ relate to the bigger question: ‘What am I here for?’
In my first blog I wrote:
“As I struggle with the internet set up, I ask God to remind me why I am doing it.
It is for God’s glory, and for your good. It’s not about me. I just want to point you to God, who LOVES you.”
For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV)
Maybe you are asking the same question: What am I here for?
You may be questioning your role in life, and if your contribution is making any difference to anyone. Maybe you are overwhelmed with too many things to do, or too much stuff to manage. Maybe you are isolated and alone, and feeling without worth. Maybe you are tired and ill. Or you are weighed down with guilt and shame.
Well, God has good news for you – God says that He chose you. He chose you! Even before He made the world. How amazing is that!
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)
God wants a long-term relationship with you. That’s the whole point of you being here on Earth.
So, I’m not doing this because I have to. I don’t get extra points or go up in the ‘good Christian’ rankings. And I’m certainly not doing it because I have skill and talent in websites and podcasts. That’s a laugh! I’m not doing it because I’m so clever and know all the answers. No way! All the struggles I had setting this up made me feel very stupid, actually.
I’m doing it because I want to.
I want to give you hope, whatever difficulties you might have right now. I want to help you find answers to your big questions. I don’t know all the answers, but I know Someone who does, and I’m hoping you can get to know Him too.
So, I’d love to hear from you as you work out your own answers to the big questions.
Please write a comment below.
And please, please subscribe to jesusontheroad.com So that you will get an email when the next blog or podcast is posted. And I’ll know that someone is listening!
You can also follow me at my Facebook page: Jesus on the Road.
God Bless!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you question your use of time?
Do you wonder if all your effort is making any difference?
Do you long to do something useful, but are blocked from doing it?
What/who are your blockers?