Originally published Thursday, 11 September 2014.
“But I’m not ready,” I said.
Write, came the reply.
“I don’t know what to say.”
Just write. I will give you words.
“But there are so many other women more skilled and popular and… what if they scoff at me?”
Write the words I give you.
And so I did. I pulled up a chair in this corner of the blogosphere, sat down at my little computer, and began to write as He gave words.
~~~~~~~
Fast forward three months and I was burnt out.
I was blogging 3-4 times a week, setting up social media accounts, trying to create free resources, host giveaways, run an online Bible study, do book reviews, and connect with other bloggers.
I was exhausted, to say the least. And that’s not counting all my other responsibilities as wife, mama, hostess, supervisor, and the myriad other hats I wore.
“God, I can’t do this anymore.”
I told you to write. Who placed these burdens on your shoulders? They are not from Me.
“But that’s what I need to do to make this blog successful! That’s what all the experts say! I’m never going to reach women if I don’t follow the 69 Steps of Blogging Marketing.”
But I didn’t tell you to market. I told you to write. You are not yet ready for success. You need to be faithful in honing the gift I’ve given you.
And so I stripped away all the extras that I had picked up along the way, and returned to writing.
~~~~~
Coming up we’re celebrating one year at OneThingAlone, and I can’t believe the doors God has opened along the way. I get all giddy and oh-my-gosh-I-can't-believe-it every time a God-sized dream comes true. Because it's when I feel most un-ready that God moves in marvelous ways.
I would be lying if I told you I don’t still get sidetracked, that I don’t read the “experts” and wring my hands over all I should be doing but am not, that I don’t get all anxious and tight-hearted about the numbers (or lack thereof) and the opportunities I’m “missing out on.”
But time and time again, the Lord brings me back to this simple truth: He has not tasked me with being successful—He has called me to be faithful. And in being faithful, He is making me ready for the Big Dreams He has ahead.
So here I am, dear friends, learning alongside you what it means to set aside my idols of perfectionism, pleasing others, self-improvement… and simply being obedient to be faithful and get ready.
I’m convinced God has huge plans in store for each of His daughters who wait expectantly, like the faithful virgins who were vigilant to keep their lamps burning, who obey in their present so they are ready for the future.
We’re not yet prepared for the battles and dreams He has for us 5 or 10 years from now. But we have everything we need in Christ Jesus to be faithful today.
So today, I’m not worrying about being successful or the future of my blog.
I’m just here, being faithful to write as He gives words.
How about you? What is God calling you to do today to be ready for what He has in store for you tomorrow?
Linking up with the marvelous Kate and #Fmfparty community here. And Photo Credit here: Lívia Cristina
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