We all know the story of the little engine that could, but this little engine learned long ago that any mountains in need of climbing had best be fueled by the flame igniter Himself, the Holy Spirit.

So then, how did I find myself quickly losing momentum on a recent climb to what I believed to be a mountaintop experience? Right fuel, wrong gear.

My desire to write never dwindled, but actual time spent in my writing nook certainly did. I was in a holding pattern of my own making, waiting on God to somehow validate my desire to jot down amusing words, peculiar names, and every idea under the sun. Right motives, wrong methods.

Enter Kevin DeYoung’s book: “Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.” (Yes, that’s a real title!)

“Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? And the answer is no. Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives. And yes, we can be assured that He works things for our good in Christ Jesus. And yes, looking back we will often be able to trace God’s hand in bringing us to where we are. But while we are free to ask God for wisdom, He does not burden us with the task of divining His will of direction for our lives ahead of time.”

With every passing word, I felt the tight grip from my holding pattern slowly release as the Lord graciously revealed the error of my way. Freedom was mine. Freedom to try. Freedom to fail. Freedom to succeed.

Oh, and the sound you hear in the background? It’s the clinking of my chains plummeting to the ground as I climb up the stairs to my writing nook with a fresh assurance, fueled by the Holy Spirit.

I think I can! I think I can!

(Two shelves that surround my writing nook for fun inspiration!)

“I have come that you might have life in abundance.”
Love, Jesus