I’ve been reading through 1 Corinthians and what I read this morning perfectly summarizes what I experienced last night while sitting at the Christy dinner. First of all, it was wonderful attending with no expectations and no agenda. I was not a Christy award nominee, nor was I sitting with a publisher—as wonderful as they are! I was there with friends to celebrate friends. And to cheer on those who God used to write amazing novels for His glory.

 

The people in attendance wore the most wonderful dresses and suits you can imagine, but for those who I’ve had the honor of getting to know personally, what really sparkled was their hearts.

I’m not sure how many people attended, but I’m sure there were a few hundred. And what struck me the most as that I was sitting there with them … I was included, invited in. Not by any organization, but by a God who called me to this work.

A girl born in a place called Weed—a not-much-there town, born to a single mom.

A young woman who made all the wrong choices, except one … to give her mess-ups to God at 17-years-old and trust He could do something better with her life.

 

A former teen mom. A mom of three by age 22. A person bearing no degrees which confirm I excel at my understanding literature or have been trained in higher education.

Someone who should have won the: least-likely-to-be-a-published novelist award at my first writer’s conference in 1994 (if they’d given such a thing out). And there I was, sitting among the top publishers, top agents, top writers, feeling grateful and in awe of God-at-work.

 

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 says: (Amplified version)

 

Last night as I sat in that banquet room that sparkled and shined with fine china and finer smiles, I felt the presence of God. Through God’s power, and for His glory, we were there to celebrate the fact that ideas—just simple ideas—had been transformed into powerful stories worthy of acknowledgement.

 

God used a team, which include writers, editors, publishing staff, marketers, … and, yes, even readers to share His heart through the written word. He created a story where none existed before. He brought to life the breathings of His heart in a way readers will understand, even more than that embrace.

I had a hard time holding back the tears. From the opening prayer to the closing one, I just wanted to let the tears flow. (Okay, a few times during the prayer they did, but that’s just between you and me.)

 

I was there to celebrate, and celebrate I did—my friends, good fiction, teamwork, honor, and God. God who uses weak things for great purposes. God who shares His heart as we dare to take that nugget of idea He gives us, and listen as He begins:

 

This morning I started reading 1 Corinthians, but I didn't make it past the first three verses. You see, this week I'll be flying out to ICRS, the International Christian Retail Show. While I'm there I'll be attending workshops, banquets, and publishers' events. I'll also be signing books and speaking. I'll pretty much be interacting with all levels of Christian Retail--publishers, editors, marketing people, salesmen, book buyers, book sellers, and other authors.

It's wonderful because I see friends, new and old, and meet some of the people I work with face-to-face. It's hard because ... although I know I shouldn't seek the approval of others, I want to be appreciated. And while I know God looks at the heart, I never feel smart enough, pretty enough, or talented enough when surrounded by so many "stars." (In this business that means those who sell lots of book, have amazing ministries, and who are well-known and greatly valued.) These stars have long lines during signings, back-to-back media events, lots of big banners plastered everywhere, highlighting their work. And ... then there is the rest of us.

Can you see why I needed to dig into God's word this morning?

Here is the text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3, The Amplified Bible

1 PAUL, SUMMONED by the will and purpose of God to be an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, [who are] selected and called to be saints (God's people), together with all those who in any place call upon and give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace (favor and spiritual blessing) be to you and [heart] peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The main message/theme God spoke to me this morning is "God CHOOSES holy messengers to speak HIS Word to those chosen BY GOD and called BY GOD."

I almost left out the word "holy" in that sentence. It's seems okay for me to consider myself a messenger, but calling myself a holy messenger, seemed to be pushing it. But these verses reminded me of three things:

1. Holiness happens through Jesus. Jesus consecrated, purifies, and makes us holy.

2. My job is to CALL on the name of Jesus.

3. And 1 + 2 = giving honor to the name of Jesus.

After reading these verses a few more times, I also became okay with the idea, especially when I saw the benefits of holy people:

1. They are given worthwhile duties, like being a special messenger.

2. They are connected with other believers local and world-wide.

3. They get grace (special favor and spiritual blessing) from God.

4. They receive heart peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus.

So how does it apply to ICRS?

--What a privilege! I am one of many who have been chosen to be a special messenger of God. One way to look at it, ICRS is a mini-gathering of those God has chosen during our moment of history to spread His Good News.

--Anything I've done, great or small, has been through Jesus. The same can be said of the others at the show. Even though there will be a lot of bling and marketing junk, if you look to the core, it's evident that Jesus has been at work in the heart of His messengers to spread His word, for the glory of His name. Looking at the numerous ways Jesus' message is going out is like seeing His work on display. How cool is that?!

--My job is to CALL on the name of Jesus. When I'm excited, discouraged, overwhelmed, tired, and joyful. If I'm focused on that, Jesus' name will be honored through me.

Finally, because of our duties and our connection in God's body, those at ICRS will get to see a glimpse of God's will and purpose.

This show should also should be a showplace of God's grace (special favor and spiritual blessing) and heart peace (from God our Father and the Lord Jesus).

Will it? My attitude change won't make or break the show, but personally I know that when I accept my calling, applaud God's work in His assembly, and see the core of Jesus-at-work in the hearts of the men and women ... then GRACE and PEACE will flow. It will flow in my heart first. And maybe it will flow to others as I join them in joyfully celebrating God's calling in them and work through them.

Time to celebrate God at work in the hearts of His messengers everywhere!

I'll keep you posted on how it goes!