Why is it always so much easier to start any project than to finish it? Whether it is cleaning out a closet, starting a new eating plan, or in my case—marketing your book, the start is so much easier than the finish. When I finally became obedient and began writing His Will: Your Abundance, I could feel God prompting me, redirecting me, guiding me—He was right there with me, and I was so confident that I was doing what I needed to do. Writing the book did take obedience and discipline on my part, but the skills involved were in my comfort zone. My educational background and my career had prepared me for so much of the process. Of course, all of this was in God’s providence. He provided the education and the career, I think largely for this purpose. Oh, and He was faithful…so faithful! And I know without a shadow of a doubt that He is still faithful, even in this time of discomfort for me. I do not feel equipped for marketing this book. It is 100% outside of my comfort zone. And so I must lean into the one who is faithful. I must pray more. I must humble myself and ask for others to help me. I must lean on Christian friends to pray for me. I must recognize that God will provide if I am obedient and if I continue to look to Him. I also must recognize that the enemy wants to stomp on my plans to honor God by finishing that which I know He gave me.
Isn’t that how so many things in life are? We move forward in faith, and God confirms our decision. He provides guidance and His presence to fortify us. We grow and we develop under this tender care. And then we come to a new pathway. Is He still there? Oh, yes. He is there, and He is watching. He is listening for us to lean into Him. And He is giving us time to reach toward Him so He can prove His love again and again.
I think of parenting. When we taught our girls to ride their bikes, we started with training wheels, and then a hand on the seat. Soon, we let them go (in the grass in case they fell). And then they were off! Riding with excitement and joy! But do you know what else I remember? I remember where their eyes went immediately after they realized they were really doing it. Those eyes went straight to us as we cheered them on! They wanted to keep eye contact with the ones who set them off on this thrilling ride. And that is where I am now. God has given me a beautiful blessing in writing a book for His glory. Now, His hand is on the seat, and He is guiding my efforts. When I look around at all of the distractions, I can get a little scared, but when I look up at the one who set me on this thrilling journey, I feel only joy. The difference in bike riding and our adult adventures is our God never leaves us. We are never riding alone. His hand is right there, ready to provide balance and guidance the second we reach for Him. Not only that, He is making adjustments to the path in front of us and arranging circumstances in the journey for our good and for His glory. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. Please, remind me to look up—to give this journey to you, and to finish well.