Are You Called to Write a Book, too?

There is a distinct difference between our dreams and God’s plans for His purposes in this world.

I cringe when I see Christians sharing memes that say Dream Bigger.

God created us to be in an eternal relationship with Him, loving, listening, obeying. Heaven is not a store in which we can drive-up and get what we want, even if our intentions are good.

Our big dreams, if they align with His will, are blessed. Not only blessed but God will use us to accomplish Kingdom purposes, bringing more healing to His people and draw more to Himself.

When I first started walking with Jesus, I boasted about my planning brain. I could multi-task, long-range and short-range plan for our entire family with my eyes closed.

Until I learned His thoughts and His ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9)… not just sometimes, every time. Every single thought we have on our own weighs very little compared with the perfect thoughts of God.

“God wants us to follow Him, not just some plan” (Experiencing God by Henry T. Blackaby and Claude King, p.157).

I am certain God planted book(s) inside my heart, to be written in His timing.

When I was young, I wrote stories on notebook paper, illustrated them with colored pencil and stapled the sheets together. A seventh-grade English teacher was going to help me get one published. The Lion that Had no Mane never was professionally published, though I think I still have the hand-made version. Looking back, I know it wasn’t the will of God for me to be a published author before I knew Him … before I understood He is the true Author.

Will I be a published author in this lifetime? If the book I write is within His will and pre-destined purpose for my life.

Nothing, zip, zero can thwart what He has purposed. ALL things God plans will be fulfilled. (Isaiah 14:27).

Now 50, I sit here, knowing there are book(s) inside of me.

I have not mistaken His will or misheard my call to write.

So what is stopping me?

I have narrowed it down to 4 things:

1. Fear to succeed. What will it mean if people seek after my book? I want them to seek God not me. What kind of pressure will I be under to write the second book if the first one is “successful”?
2.  Unbelief, that the story God is writing in my little ole life is book-worthy.
3.  Writing about your life is messy. Writing about past pain can trigger memories and/or bring up the hopelessness you have overcome.
4.  Writing is lonely. I do not currently have a critique group, nor have I found one in which I fit. I believe God wants me to rely fully and wholly upon Him to write this first book. In fact every group I have been in, He has pulled me out.

There used to be more reasons not to write.

I am thankful I have the list paired down to four.

If you are here, and you are also called by God to write, keep the faith.

Nothing is too hard for God:

Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17).

No enemy attack~

No doubt~

No fear~

No writer’s block~

… will stop God from accomplishing His will through the book He called you to write.

God is always and forever victorious. Thank you, Jesus!

Stand firm upon this truth.

Don’t forget to open your eyes to whom He has placed in your path for support:

Jason, my loving husband, said recently, “I want to see a book with your name on it.”

Stacey, my sister in Christ, said in this past year, “I can’t wait to read your book.”

Several others have encouraged me.

It is time to dive in, heart first.

As I do, please forgive me if I read less of your blogs in the meantime. I will continue to blog and spend 1-2 days a week here in the bloggerverse. However, I have to make adjustments in my life to finish the first manuscript and complete a book proposal.

May you be my witnesses that I will pray each day before I write, listening for His direction.

May you be my witnesses that I will continue writing until the first draft is complete.

If you are unsure whether God has called you to write a book, please reach out. His will is a mystery sometimes, but if He wants to accomplish something in your life He will let you know.

If you want to pray each other along this journey, please reach out.

If you have any feedback for me after reading this post, I am all ears and thank you in advance.

~~~

“This what the Lord, the God of Israel says, ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. The day is coming’, declares the Lord, ‘when I will bring back my people Israel and Judah back from captivity and restore them to the land I gave their ancestors to possess,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:2-3).

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Thank you for joining me here today. So many more thoughts, but this is what the Lord wanted me to share. He knows there are others like me out there, who have not finished the first book He has called you to write. We can look at it like a tough spot, or like one full of opportunity.

Feel free to start a conversation here or email me directly at juliedibblespeaks@gmail.com.

All photos in this post are from Pixabay.com.

May Our Lord bless you and keep you today.

Love in Christ,

Julie

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