Samuel 3:19

Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

Wow! So, the Lord was with Samuel, and the Lord made sure all of Samuel's word's had an effect.
This is the sort of thing that convinces me there's something real underneath all of this. Samuel's story doesn't reinforce anyone's agenda. He rises to power because the priest's heirs are corrupt. He consistently argues, on behalf of God, with the people against having a king. It would be easy to gloss over the story, or spin it.
Well, at this stage in my life, I know how much I want my words to have an effect. Speaking for God, for me, means speaking with some trepidation. What if I get it wrong? What if I get it right, but subsequently get caught up in scandal, and thus have the truth belittled by it's association with me?
A complicated thing, but when you feel nudged in a certain direction by the creator of the universe, you eventually get up and move on over.
Sometimes I'll think of a topic, and I'll know some people will think badly of me if I write what I believe about it. I can even guess the accusations. Recently, I've begun to realize those are the topics I should write about. Rather explicitly too. I can't go around skirting the gist of it, because people will still form the nasty opinions of me, but I won't have the truth out there like I need it to be.
So I know the flak I may get. I guess the hopeful part is seeing my words have an effect. Although, I must say, I'd prefer a good effect. An effect in the right direction.