By Michelle Medlock Adams
Just as I was finishing up my book signing at the International Christian Retail Show 25 years ago, I locked eyes with a woman waiting at the edge of the Guideposts booth.
She’d been there for quite some time. I wondered why she hadn’t moved into my line to get a signed copy of my latest children’s book … but she hadn’t.
“We just ran out of books,” I explained, as I walked over to her, “but I’d be happy to mail you a copy from my personal stash at home.”
“Oh, that’s OK. I’m not here for a book,” she said. “I just want to talk to you.” I smiled but I was actually worried that maybe I’d met her previously and didn’t remember her.
Just as I was about to ask if we’d met before, she took my face into her hands, looked me square in the eyes, and said, “Quit saying you’re not a speaker. Stop saying that you’re only a writer. Did God tell you that you’re only a writer and not a speaker?” I shook my head no, trying to keep my composure. “Then stop saying it. Only say what God says. Let God define you.” With that, she removed her hands from my face, walked away, and I never saw her again.
The Night Before
How could she have known? I wondered.
Just the night before, in the privacy of my hotel room, I had said to my husband, “I think I’ll call my sister and see if she wants to speak at that women’s conference that invited me to keynote. After all, she’s the speaker in the family. I’m just a writer.”
The invitation had come because I’d been featured on a Christian television show alongside another author who pastored a large church in Arizona. I was promoting my devotional for moms, and he was discussing his book for dads. We’d talked about the importance of godly parenting and shared some fun banter.
After the interview, he stopped and handed me his card, saying, “You’re fun! I think my wife and the ladies of our church would love you. Would you come and speak?” Not wanting to offend him, I accepted his card with a smile, but I had no intention of contacting him regarding the ministry opportunity.
Speaking in front of hundreds of people was way outside of my comfort zone.
The Turning Point
I planned to call him when I returned from ICRS and give him my sister’s contact information, but apparently God had other plans. It was a turning point in my journey.
It was the day I stopped defining myself and started allowing God to define me. I did call that pastor back, but not to give him my sister’s information. Instead, I called him back and said, “Yes, I’ll do it.” And I’ve been saying “yes” ever since.
I can look back now and see that God was preparing me to be both a speaker and a writer—even as far back as my college days at Indiana University when I ended up minoring in speech communication.
I thought I was just minoring in speech because many of its requirements overlapped with my journalism major, but it was all a part of God’s plan for my life. He had been guiding my steps all along, and I am so thankful to be on this journey with him.
I love speaking at women’s conferences, churches, universities, writers conferences, philanthropic events and more, encouraging others and glorifying the name of Jesus. Best gig ever! See, God will call you, equip you, and even give you the “want to” to walk in your calling.
Who’s Defining You?
So, how have you been defining yourself?
Are you letting God define you or are you letting your fears define you? Or maybe you’re letting others tell you who you are and what you’re called to do. Listen, it’s time to walk in the calling that God has for your life. Don’t let your insecurities or someone else’s opinions keep you in a box, limiting your vision and outreach.
God has a plan for your life, and you’re going to love it!
