Why I Finally Stopped Counting Everything

Years ago I had little counter boxes next to each one of my social media share buttons at the end of each one of my blog posts. After I published a post those number totals of how many people were sharing that post to their social media sites dictated to me if I was acceptable or not acceptable and as a result, the numbers dictated my peace and joy.

I remember the day I decided to listen to the Holy Spirit and turn off those counters boxes. With one click of a button in WordPress’ back office, I made them disappear.

That was a day of freedom for me and I’ve not missed those counter boxes one bit since that day. I have no idea how many people share my blog posts now and that’s perfectly fine with me!

I do realize there are times when a person has to pay attention to numbers. The bottom line is, it all goes back to the heart. But for me, giving up counting at different times over the years has been very healthy and freeing.

I also remember the day, back in 2016 which was the year I started accepting speaking engagements, when God instructed me not to count how many people come to them. It’s wonderful. I have no idea how many were at my last speaking engagement or any of them, for that matter, so if you ask, I won’t have the answer!

I’m sure you’ve noticed that our society is addicted to counting just about everything, from Facebook likes to Instagram followers to YouTube views and on and on. I believe it’s a trap and one that any one of us can fall into at any given time if we are not doing what we’re doing for the right reasons.

Ministry is about people, not numbers! I’m so glad I learned this lesson and I believe my good, good Father will always help me keep my worth and value rooted solely in who I am in Christ…not in numbers.

Nowadays, whether there are 10 people at a speaking engagement or hundreds, I don’t feel any different. I’m there to minister to whoever comes.

When I first felt the green light from God to start accepting speaking engagements back in 2016, we met with our pastors of the church we were attending at that time. I’ll never forget what they told us. They said something along the lines of, ‘never make your decisions on which speaking engagements to take and which to turn down based on numbers. Pray about each one and be led by the Spirit.’ Then they said, ‘We have a friend who turned down a large speaking engagement because he didn’t have peace about it, but he accepted a much smaller one because he did have peace. The larger one ended up getting cancelled but he was divinely connected with certain people at the smaller engagement who had a significant impact on his destiny.’

Everything isn’t about numbers. God is way beyond being limited by that.

I gotta say it again. Ministry is about people, not numbers.

This is Freedom Living, my friends! Living to make Jesus famous!

If you have not yet made Jesus your Savior and received the wonderful joy that His finished work on the cross has provided for you to live in, please visit my page here titled Jesus In The Driver’s Seat. On this page I explain the good news of the gospel and you will have the opportunity to pray a prayer of salvation, making Jesus your Savior! Jesus loves you and His arms are wide ope

Sandra McCollom