God has something to say so if we are made in His image, we need to have something to say. There are so many people who want to be “an influencer” or who try to be “a leader”. The lights, camera, action just all seem so alluring, right?!

I was taught that reluctant leaders are the best ones. I was never seeking the lights, camera, or action. If you’re like me, there is plenty of action happening in life without the lights or camera involved! You think you want the light on you until you mess up, say something not exactly correct and the camera captures it for all to drill you on…as if they have never had a mis-step in their speech. Oh, they have but they were sitting on the couch at the time critiquing the people with the lights and cameras on them entertaining them as they munched on popcorn comfortably snuggled up with no one watching.

So remember, if you want to “make a difference” and I mean actually make a difference without lthe quotation marks and if you want to actually influence people for good and actually lead people toward a life that works instead of the one they are living that is slinging hurt, venom, and destruction all around them even unknowingly so, then, Yay, you! But first, do you have something to say that will turn their hurt to healing, their venom to ointment, and their destruction to restoration? Like, what has God birthed inside of you that you just can’t shut up about?

I hear people say all the time that they want to do something big for God but they just aren’t sure what their message is. You can’t just conjure something up that’s cool and shiny and so you will look good on a platform. That’s not how it works.

John 10:3 tells us that the gatekeeper opens the gate and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls them by name and leads them out. Who are you already calling by name and they are listening to you? Who are you leading out in your world? Before you decide to “take it on the road” consider blooming where you are planted for real. If you aren’t leading those in your real life, you may think it seems easier and more glamorous to lead those “out there”.

I genuinely had something to say that rocked my world and hundreds around me in my real life and so it only made sense to “spread the happy” like I love to say. But then, can I be transparent with you? Hindsight is 20/20 but I wish I had come back to those around me sooner. I stayed “out there” too long. Never underestimate the value of making a real, tangible difference in the lives of young and old right where you are in your current sphere of influence.

I’m not trying to kill “your dreams” but I am saying to be sure you truly have something from The Lord to say and when you start saying it, say it loud and bold and to whoever will listen far and wide, local and out there. Start by being sure what you have to say is kind to those you love the most. Love is the most powerful force in the universe so be sure what it is burning inside you that the world needs is born out of love and it will go further than you can imagine.

I’m so grateful for the opportunities God has given me to share what I have to say to women about how to happy, how to love and forgive ANYWAY, how to see it and be it. These are things I have genuinely lived out in my own life. If you are living what you have to say out well (not perfectly, not without attack from the enemy, but well) in your own life, that is also an indication you may truly have something to say.

The more you are with The Word Himself, that Word will dwell richly in your heart and begin to bubble out and you will have much to say that will bring life to those around you. Just make sure you stay full of Him. As you know His voice and speak His Words, the more people will be drawn to what you say and will begin to know your voice and follow you as you follow Christ.

Here at the beginning of the year, I pray God gives you something to say that will set you up to live out your purpose with more precision than ever. Incline your ear to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to you and say that. See that. And be that. Oh, and don’t miss the gold for the glitter. Don’t mistake the spectacular for the supernatural. It may look nothing like you were expecting. But if it’s God, it’s oh, so good!

Also, I am in the middle of a refresh of adriennecooley.com so go check it out. We aren’t done with it but it’s got a new look and I hope you can find things on there to encourage your soul.

Happy New Year!

Adrienne