Call It Like It Is

Creativity is in our spiritual DNA. Made in the image of God – the GO{L}D Standard when it comes to creativity – we are creative beings.

Have you ever considered that when God gave Adam the task of naming the animals, it was a creative endeavor?

“Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” (Genesis 2:19 NKJV)

God brought the animals to Adam to see what he would call them! Let that settle deep. I’ll be honest with you. Sometimes I hesitate to call myself a speaker and a writer. Sometimes I’m tempted to remove those identifications from my blog, facebook and twitter.

Why?

Because sometimes I feel like a fraud…a poser…an imposter.

Real writers have published books and articles. Real speakers have a calendar dotted with engagements.

Several years ago I wanted to challenge myself to be a runner. I analyzed what it takes to be a runner. The right shoes. The right clothes. The right pace. The right body type. And after all of that I settled on this one thing. You may need to sit down for this epiphany.

To be a real runner – run.

Are you thinking what I thought? That’s not very deep. In fact, it’s too simple.

I know. Yet, sometimes simple is the deepest kind of deep.

Notice I didn’t challenge myself to start running. I wanted more than that. I wanted to be a runner. Call myself a runner. Be identified as a runner.

I’ve entered a few races – 5k’s, 10k’s, a triathlon (team member), and a half marathon. It’s been months since I ran in my last race. But you know what? I’m still a runner. A real runner. Because I run.

It’s been a while since I submitted an article for publication. But I’m still a writer. A real writer. And though the speaking engagements on my calendar are spotty, I’m still a Bible teacher and a speaker. A real one.

Last summer as I was praying and pondering about the ministry of speaking, teaching and writing, I felt that still, small voice tell me to call it what it is.

To create is to bring something into existence.

God created the animals.

Creations need a name.

God brought the creation before Adam to be named.

If I’m not honest and brave enough to call myself what I know I am, would that part of me wander aimlessly on this earth waiting for its ceremonial naming?

Regardless of where my writing and speaking may or may not take me, my heart is fullest when I’m creating words that speak God’s truth…when I’m crafting lines of prose or poetry. God brought those gifts to me and waited to see what I would call them.

Teacher. Speaker. Writer

For real.

What do you call yourself? Are you afraid to call yourself what you know you are at heart? Leader, teacher, speaker, artist, idea maker, actor, writer, decorator, designer?

This post is linked to Jen’s at Finding Heaven.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Robin-Gorsuch-Truslow/668659120 Robin Gorsuch Truslow

wow…you couldn’t write something this profound unless you WERE a writer. geez. good stuff. x
Debbie Petras

Oh Melanie, for years I felt God was calling me to write and speak. I went through training. I kept my journals. I did a few speaking engagements at churches and even nurses’ conferences. But I didn’t put my full heart into it. Life happened and I found myself struggling in so many ways. Several moves and a return to the workforce after many years away. But I love blogging and still feel I’ve got a writer inside of me. Between you and Elaine, you’ve encouraged me to simply …do it.

Thank you for that.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
- Anonymous
  
  Well, hey there, Debbie!
  You are a writer, too! Yes, you are.
  I’m glad you came by, friend.
http://www.peaceforthejourney.com/ elaine @ peace for the journey

I’ve spent a lot of time in prayer over these past few days, even before I read Goins’ book. It just all seemed too much for me. I’ve really lost my focus, and I know I’ve spent too much time over-analyzing things. I’m assessing everything, and it’s blocking me. I don’t know. Really, I don’t want to care about it this much. It’s become too much, and I’m a poor controller of my emotions these days. Thanks for your transparency and your friendship. They both mean so very much to me. ~elaine
- Anonymous
  
  I feel much the same. I’m tired of the roller coaster I’ve boarded. What if I do the “stuff” it seems to take and still nothing…
  No matter what, I know I need to fill myself with the wisdom and liberty of Holy Scripture. That’s my pass off the roller coaster.
Anonymous

This is great, Melanie…like you, I struggled to call myself a writer because I am not published, but I think what you shared here, and what Jeff Goins says in his e-book, You are a writer is all true…if you write, then you are a writer…Keep being bold, and doing what God gifted you to do
- Anonymous
  
  Thanks, soulstops, for stopping here and adding to this conversation. I’ve recently begun to read Jeff Goins’ blog and hope to gain some confidence and motivation to begin submitting my writing again.
sonja

This is so excellent. There is no false pride in being what God has called us and gifted us with. You are most assuredly a writer, and this piece is one more proof. Get this stuff into print. I am spoiled and particular with what I read, and I love your writing!
- Anonymous
  
  Well my dear, sweet Sonja,
  You have certainly encouraged me! Thanks so much.
http://www.crittyjoy.com Christy

How encouraging this was to my heart. As this year is a big year of trying to figure out who I am…what I am… this was a great encouragement that I AM the things I think I am…He has given me gifts of creativity and writing and other things that I delight in…and He in turn delights in me.
- Anonymous
  
  I am SO GLAD you feel encouraged in what I’ve expressed…in what I’ve written. ; )
  Sometimes we get hung up in wanting the validation and “naming” from another source. But if God has placed a gift in you, you can name it…call it what it is and, hopefully, grow, develop and delight in bringing Him glory.
  Thanks for adding to the conversation, Christy.
http://www.redemptionsbeauty.com/ Shelly Miller

This is so good, the way you combined identity with naming the animals and creation. I don’t have a hard time saying what I am . . .a writer, a clergy wife, a mom of teens, a photographer, a leadership coach . ..I have a hard time with the bias people have in the naming. If you say you are a writer, that usually means you are an author of a book. When you say you are leadership coach, that means a variety of things to people. When you share your age, it puts you in a category. But really, there is nothing to be done about perception of others, just resting in who we are. Like you, a runnr, a writer, a speaker. Those same labels look different on everyone. Oh, you got me thinking here . . .thanks.
- Anonymous
  
  Yeah…with a birthday tomorrow…I’m feeling that “age” bias. And the weird thing is…I think I’m bringing the bias to myself! It’s just that I wonder if I’ll be 80 when I finally realize some of my goals.
  Thanks, Shelly, for visiting. I hope you’ll come back and add your insight again soon.
http://www.newequus.wordpress.com/ Mindy @ New Equus

This is great Melanie! And you are so right. If that’s what we do, then that’s what we are. Thanks for the reminder!
- Anonymous
  
  Hi Mindy!
  My goal is to start submitting more of my writing. I can sit around and think about it all day long…dream about it at night, but until I do the hard work of writing and submission, I’m just fooling myself into thinking I’ll have something published again.
  Stay dry in our tropical storm! Crazy weather.
Anonymous

Beautiful and inspiring! I am… daughter, mother, wife, leader, teacher, servant, friend, writer, encourager…. Wow, we serve a creative King!
- Anonymous
  
  And I believe He enjoys our expressions of creativity, too!
  Thank you, Teresa, for joining the conversation.
Running Through Life Together

You did it again. As always your words are so spot on. Keep it flowing you writer, speaker, teacher, and yes my RUNNING PARTNER.
- http://www.melaniedorsey.com/ Melanie Dorsey
  
  Thanks, Babe!
Lavonda Pflug

Yes. At heart I too am a writer, but I don’t go around telling people that. I feel inadequate. Not good enough. Unknown and not qualified. And the list goes on. I agree that we are created to be creative. I like to sew and do various other creative things. But crafting words makes me smile and pumps my blood. I joke and say I am a writer wannabe. But it is not a joke. I really wanna be one!
I’d love for you to visit my blog too. (because I’m a writer too. lol) http://www.writeforhim.blogspot.com
- http://www.melaniedorsey.com/ Melanie Dorsey
  
  Hey Lavonda!
  
  I don’t tell people that I’m a writer either because then I would have to tell them that I have a book or several articles published or that I actually make a living writing…which I don’t. But I’d like to have all of the above. Coming your way now…
- Edie
  
  And let me just say that both of you, Lavonda and Melanie, have talked to me about writing a book. I think both of you are excellent writers and should pursue that desire.
  - Anonymous
    
    Thanks, Edie!