Sushi, Writing & Lisa Bevere (part 2)

Posted on by Joel Johnson

“Joel, who are you writing to and what do they need?” Lisa asked. I didn’t have an answer for her then (concerning the book manuscript I’m currently working on); but — after a brief session of mulling it over and  journaling — I think I’ve got it now. Here it is:

Question #1: Who am I writing this book for?

Answer #1: The Fatherless

Question #2: What do they need to hear?

Answer #2: Encouragement from someone who relates, a guide/mentor through it, healing, the ability to forgive, reconciliation (if possible), HOPE!, a Heavenly Father . . . I jotted down a few additional ideas as well in my journal.)

I’ve included this page from my journal for your viewing pleasure (below). Enjoy! That’s if, you can decipher my woebegone penmanship. (Smile.)

 

file-1-2

I’m truly thankful that I have more clarity on the current book I’m working on, but Lisa’s questions have also opened up a whole new range of potential clarity concerning my calling and purpose. 

Maybe I’m crazy, but I always find myself thinking, “What is that “thing” I am meant to leave on earth before I leave earth?” I know there is a God-given gift that’s inside of me that has not gotten out of me yet or  — more precisely — hasn’t found its full expression yet. I have this nagging impression that there is much more work to be done on a work that lasts beyond my lifetime. These thoughts haunt the halls of my intellect like restless ghosts.

If you’ll notice on the middle-left side of my journal page (above), I have circled the word “underdogs.”  As I wrote this word -— “underdog”  — a flurry of synaptic sparks fired off!

“Hmmm . . . underdogs?” I thought. “Is this who I am speaking to? Is this my audience?” I questioned. Thoughts raced around my head like electric currents and then a joyful thrill warmed my chest.

Yes, this is who I am speaking to, “underdogs.” Folks who weren’t born into privilege. People who have an obstacle or two to overcome — dark horses. This is my audience, my tribe. More introspectively, this is me. I’ve always been the late bloomer — the long shot — the underdog. Here’s some of the “underdog” obstacles I’ve faced:

Obstacles:

  • Raised by a single Mom
  • Grew up poor, on welfare
  • Abused by an alcoholic stepfather
  • I was an obese-teen
  • Struggled in school

Breakthroughs thus far:

  • Married for thirteen years to my best friend, Casey
  • Have two beautiful children
  • My family has everything they need (not everything they’d want, but need (smile))
  • A strong healthy body
  • Graduated from University, Suma Cum Laude.
  • Graduated from law school with a Juris Doctorate
  • Bestselling author
  • Have traveled to twenty nations and have spoken before more than two million people

I’ve always had to work incredibly hard to accomplish anything, but I’m optimistic enough to believe that if I work hard enough, by God’s grace, anything can be accomplished. So I’ve put in the work: Inch-by-inch its a cinch. Yard-by-yard it’s hard, right? I’ve made progress by inching along and never giving up — by grit, not privilege.

Here’s how these questions have helped me gain greater clarity concerning my calling and purpose:

Question #1: Who am I speaking to?

Answer: “Me” twenty-five years ago.

Question #2: What do they need?

Answer: Everything I wish I knew twenty-five years ago.

Thanks to Lisa Bevere and Divine serendipity, I’m a few steps closer to zeroing in on my calling and purpose than I was two weeks ago.

I think you’ll find yourself closer to your calling and purpose too, if you’ll take a few moments to ask yourself the following two questions:

Question #1: Who was I “back then” ?

Question #2: What do I know now, that I wish I knew back then?

Answering these questions will get you well on your way to clarifying your calling and purpose. Most often people’s past mess turns out to be their future message. The tests of one’s past turns out to be their future testimony.

I can’t wait to hear about what you discover when you take the time to answer these two very important questions. Feel free to comment below. Your story may encourage another dark horse to step out into their spotlight.

 

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Dr. Joel Johnson is the President of Johnson Ministries and founder of the Dark Horse Initiative. Dark Horse's vision is "every underdog an overcomer" and exists to "inspire underdogs to actualize their highest potential" through the Five Pillars of transformation: Faith, Friends, Family, Fitness, and Finances. Joel was a professor at Belmont University, in Nashville, teaching master's-level courses in communication and leadership . Prior to this, Joel co-hosted Acquire the Fire (ATF) conferences for 12 years (nearly 200,000 people attend ATF events each year). Joel’s passion, communication prowess and sidesplitting humor make him one of the nation’s foremost speakers and authors. Joel started speaking when he was 14. Since then, he has spoken before more than 2 million people in over 20 nations around the world. Additionally, Joel has traveled speaking with such bands as Switchfoot, Mercy Me, Fly Leaf, Amy Grant, Newsboys, Skillet, Leeland, Third Day, Super Chic(k), Tree 63, Petra, Gospel Gangstaz and Jeremy Camp. As a teen, Joel surmounted the challenges brought about by poverty, a broken home, and abuse, his inspirational stories and teaching have helped thousands to find freedom from the wounds of a broken past. Joel loves the local Church! He has served in his local church for almost 30 years. Some of his roles have included: Campus Pastor, Global Executive Pastor of Student Ministries, College Pastor, Student Pastor and South Eastern University Site Director. Joel is also an avid adventurer. A few of his adventures include: navigating down the Amazon River, living with a native tribe in the Darien Jungle of Panama, partaking in many traditional Maori Hangi feasts and ceremonies in New Zealand, playing music throughout the war torn city of Beirut, trekking to the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome and Pike’s Peak, walking the streets of Hanoi, riding an elephant through the jungle of Chiang Mia and overseeing the remodeling of an orphanage playground in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Joel underwent two years of ministry training at Abundant Life School of Ministry, received a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Texas at Tyler and a Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M University School of Law.* He has authored three books: The Divine Matchmaker, Walking Like Zombies and Emerge: Cracking the Cocoon of Media Socialization. Joel is also married to a dynamic author and speaker, Casey Johnson. Joel, Casey, their son, Lincoln, and daughter, Reagan, live in Charlotte, NC.