“Why can’t you tell the world about me now?”
This question stopped Jason Jackson Jr. in his tracks. After living through the hardest year of his life – facing eviction notices and an uncertain future – he was in the middle of trying to create a deal with God when he heard it from no one, out of nowhere.
The deal? Jason would tell the world all about God, but God had to give him the right platform first.
Then came the response that rocked him to the core: “Why can’t you tell the world about me now?”
It was a pivotal moment in Jason’s spiritual journey. He realized he could start pursuing his calling now. Living out his purpose didn’t mean waiting for the right timing, platform or feeling. Jason had God, which meant he had everything he needed to take that first step and trust God to handle the rest.
And that’s exactly what happened, as Jason shares in his White Chair Film. He got to the point where he had nothing but God — and it was because of that, he had everything.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).
It’s kind of crazy how much I can relate to Jason’s story. I first heard from God in 2021, when he told me I would “help some today and help thousands tomorrow.” He then gave me a vision for a marriage book he wanted me to write, and I obeyed.
But I was perplexed after I wrote it, because nothing happened. No one seemed interested in the book, it didn’t sell and I was confused by what I heard from God. No matter how hard I tried to share, promote or even give away the book, there was zero demand.
As time passed by, I kept asking God why he wasn’t giving me a platform to help people struggling with hurt marriages, addictions and other issues. Wouldn’t he want to bless that? Of course, but there was still work in my life he needed to do.
In February 2023, a friend sent me the song “First Things First” by the band, Consumed by Fire. I was convicted by its message and realized I had been putting my dreams for a platform above God himself.
At that moment, I realized I could start encouraging others now. Maybe it would only be a couple people, but if I could help even one person, it would be worth it. And that’s when I wrote my devotionals focused on mental health, to encourage those struggling in the same ways I’ve struggled.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
How have you seen God use you to give comfort to others? Maybe it’s sharing your story of a similar life experience. Perhaps he’s used you to bring encouragement to a stranger. The size of our platform isn’t important to God because he has plans to use us right where we are. Jason didn’t have a huge following when he started sharing Jesus with the world. Viral success, fame and millions of social media followers came later.
“I can’t believe that God chose me to live this life,” Jason says. “None of this is for my glory or my praise. It’s all to give glory to God and that’s why I do what I do. That’s what Living Second means: loving, living and leading like Jesus Christ did. And that’s what I believe.”
God honors obedience in his own timing, as Jason’s story clearly shows. This can be true for you, too. As Jason shared in his first viral post:
“Whenever God is all you have, you have all you need. And that’s all you would ever want, whether you know it or not.”
Stop chasing. Start believing. And let God take it from there.
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