Nervous, I stepped into a room of four hundred new faces. “Do you really want to be here,” My Inner Wimp whispered. I scrunched my eyebrows together, certain that I had not packed this unwanted guest. She continued, “You don’t belong in here. These are the professionals, and you, my dear, are just a volunteer.” My Inner Wimp can be rather nasty if I let her get a word in.
Have you ever felt the disdain of that phrase, just a volunteer? In today’s hard-driven, everyone-seems-successful world, the word volunteer doesn’t have much clout or glitz. Service isn’t glamorous, and it often doesn’t pay the bills.
Just a volunteer?
Yet it has been in serving that I have discovered and developed gifts and skills that lay buried under the surface. It has been through volunteering my time as a Bible teacher and Women’s ministry leader that has been God’s way of revealing my calling. Serving others, encouraging with a Biblical message, showing other’s how–this is ministry and it is true joy.
Just a volunteer? I don’t think so. There…I put My Inner Wimp in her place, determined to make the most of a new experience.
I found a seat and carefully placed my bag filled with my hopes and dreams under the seat in front of me. So many writers. So many talented people with a God-given story to tell. Such a competitive business. My Inner Wimp tried her best to convince me to give up, with thoughts like, “No one cares what you have to say.”
New Experiences Bring New Friends
I stuck it out and had a blast, learning new information and meeting interesting people. The new friend in this picture is Alycia Morales.
By the way, My Inner Wimp had to find her own way home. (I was hoping she’d get lost…)
Fast forward a very quick year:
I am busy getting ready to return Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. Just a few more days, so I am feeling the excitement–and the pinch–of wanting to get all my ideas and pitches ready to go. Once again, I will enter that crowded room filled with writers, hopefuls, agents, editors, and publishers. Once again, I will have some dreams tucked into my briefcase. I will pitch my book to agents and editors, nervous that I will sound like…just a volunteer. This year, My Inner Wimp is going to be locked in the basement with no chance of sneaking into my suitcase.
What accusations does your Inner Wimp say?
If you have ever felt like just a volunteer, Like this post and pass it on.
Enjoy this related post: 3 Steps for Getting Rid of My Inner Wimp
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
I really do think that God brings out some of the best in me when I serve and volunteer. But yes, there are times that I think “do I really have anything to offer, I don’t have any formal education with this, what makes me think I can lead here?” It then reminds me that it is Christ in me and not of myself that any fruit happens. The spiritual backwards world of God using those that have nothing and know nothing to spread His word.
LOVED this Ginger!
Really excellent–what a great message to all of us to
get rid of our INNER WIMPS!
Bless you.
Great to hear from you, Lisa. Hope I get to see you this weekend. Thanks for the encouragement!
I LOVE this post 🙂 I can so relate to this…don’t we ALL have an inner wimp? I keep wanting to write a post about all the voices inside my head…without making it sound like I’m crazy! And btw…volunteering has been scientifically proven to increase the serotonin in your brain to make you happier! So being “just a volunteer” is an awesome thing! Everyone benefits!
Love that! I’ll take all the serotonin I can get. Natural happy juice:)
Great post, Ginger! That is exactly how I felt the first time I went to Blue Ridge. I almost left the first day because I felt so inadequate (thanks for rescuing me, Celeste!). I really believed I would be eaten alive by these “professional writers”, but instead found a warm and welcoming environment of encouragement. I’m so glad I got to meet you this year!
It was such fun to meet you as well! Thanks for stoppin’ by!