Where is my feed?

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses] Hebrews 11:1 AMP

Yesterday, I helped one of my consulting clients set up a RSS feed of her business blog in her social networking profile. I set up a feed on my social networking profiles the day before. I had not done it in this platform before, but for those of you who know me, I'm pretty technically savvy and love diving in exploring new technology.

It went over without a hitch. Five (5) minutes later, my client had a live feed to her blog right in her social networking profile. She was elated, and I was ecstatic that it went over so smoothly. We both rejoiced! After our celebration, I decided to set up my profile in this social network with a RSS feed to this blog as well.

Five (5) minutes later, the posts were not showing up in the preview window like they did in my clients' RSS feed setup. So I logged into her blog and checked the settings, logged into my blog and checked the settings. They look the same. So, I refresh the feed, still no preview of the blog posts. I log out of the social network and log back in, pull up the feed application, click on the preview. Nothing. I exit out of Internet Explorer, open up Firefox log back into the social network go back to the feed application click on the preview button. Nothing. Okay, now I'm starting to wonder what's going on. Is there a spiritual implication here? The first thing that came to mind was hmmm, maybe this is just for her. Naw, that can't be it. This is a good thing, and God does not withhold good things from me.

So, I check her social networking profile settings and I check mine. The look the same. At that moment, I felt like God was saying to me, "Get over them not showing up in the preview window, Karen. Go ahead and publish the feed to the entire social network. Hesitantly, I obeyed. You know it worked instantly, right?!

My client said, see "God doesn't work the same for each us." I echoed her insight. Well, I just couldn't shake that statement. Two hours later God is still speaking. Here are the take aways, and I pray they bless you as they did me.

Take away #1
God doesn't work the same in each of our businesses and ministries. At the same time, don't take for granted that He's not working or that He's withholding something from you.

Take away #2
Believe it is there even though you can't see it. What's there? The feed. As ministers, we are called to feed others with God's word. Trust God that even though it doesn't look like those who He sent to you are eating what you are feeding them, they are. What you are feeding them, they are eating the feed. It is live, working without errors and is coming directly to the areas of need even if they don't tell you so. I challenge you to stop asking the questions, “Where’s my feed?” “Where are my customers/clients?” "Where are those I'm called to?" and “Why are they not buying my products/services?” I’ll be the first to tell you there are times in ministry and business I wonder and ask these questions. Let’s be honest with ourselves. We are dust. The beautiful thing is God knows our frailty and sends hope along soon thereafter our doubtful musings.

Take away #3
I followed the steps exactly to set up both feeds. Follow the steps . . . it’s working! God has laid out the steps for us in His word. It’s always working even we can’t see it.

Take away #4
It might take yours a little longer than mine or vice versus. My client’s feed setup worked in five minutes flat. It took my feed set up 30 plus minutes. I did get there, though. I celebrated just as hard! I encourage you to not waste your energy on getting frustrated because it’s taking so long. Save your energy so you’ll have all the strength you will need to celebrate when you do get to your “there;” because you will get there! If you are following the steps to the tee, trust God and don’t allow your doubts, frustration, and comparison to rob you of enjoying the high that comes from a faith-filled journey.

Take away #5
Don't trust what you see! If you've have worked with any technology (especially anything web-based), it's fickle. So, is what we see with our senses. We can't put our hope or trust in what we see.

Hold fast to your confession of faith like your life depends on it because it does!

May truth, wisdom, grace, love, joy, and creativity be multiplied to you.

Bountifully,


Karen M. Pina
GOD’s Coach