It all begins with an idea.
Maybe it’s a story, a blog, a song, a ministry, or simply a more productive way to accomplish a task in the office or at home. The idea percolates and begins to take shape⏤this could take minutes, months, or even years. The idea is relentless, clinging to our thoughts like a wet swimsuit. We pray over it, say no to things we’d rather say yes to, and grab every piece of chocolate in sight {okay, maybe that’s just me} in order to bring the idea to fruition.
And then it finally happens. We’re ready to release our work.
This year, I’ve learned a few things about what this means. My first book Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach released in May. My second, Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains just released in September. I remember feeling physically ill when I first released the books to my critique group, beta readers, and finally, Amazon.
As I continue this journey, however, I’m learning the value of anchoring certain truths into place through prayer:
Stay focused on the why of the work.
Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” When we write, sing, counsel, teach, or whatever it is we do for God’s glory, His goodness is shared in a way that only we can tell it. Yes, the same story can be told by the multitudes but it’s how we experience God’s goodness that makes our story⏤the work of our hands and heart⏤unique and personal. If our ride-or-die why is to bring God glory then the missteps and disappointments we face along the way will not steer us off course because it’s not about us, our idea, or our atta-boys. It’s all His.
Father, You know my heart. Search it. Shine Your light to find any underlying motives residing in the nooks and crannies of my mind. If they are not of You, expose them as traitors, betraying my love and excitement for what You’ve put in my heart. Help me to stay focused on the why in order to guard against the voices in my head that will attempt to defeat and discourage me. May Your goodness emerge in everything I say and do.
Define success in my own heart before the world defines it for me.
Will the book sell more than a handful of copies? How will I react to my first bad review? If one person moves closer to the Lord as a result of reading the book, will that really be enough?
These questions ran through my mind with the same energy as a caffeinated child in a toy store. I knew it was time for a come-to-Jesus moment. There, I spilled all my expectations, desires, and hopes before the throne⏤the good, the bad, and the downright ugly⏤confident that nothing I said would catch Him off guard.
We all want our time, energy, and money to matter so when numbers in the form of books sold, clients or blog visitors don’t add up, the idea can feel like a failure⏤we can feel like a failure. That is unless we defined success for ourselves before the blog was written or the business began, or the story was told.
I personally define success as being obedient to what I feel God calls me to do. One of those things is writing this series of vacation devotional books. So if the books don’t sell as hoped, I may be disappointed, but I will rest in knowing that in God’s eyes, it is a success. When I get my first bad review, I will sob shed a tear, but I will rest. And if just one person moves closer to God as a result of anything I do, I will rejoice and rest in knowing that in God’s eyes, one person is equal to the world.
Father, show me how to measure the success of this idea by Your standards, not mine. Jesus says in John 5:30 that He doesn’t seek to please Himself, only God. Would you mold my desires in a way that mirrors that of Christ? I lay down my expectations, my desires, and dreams in submission to Your plans and purposes. Be glorified!
Release the results into God’s hands.
Flannery O’ Connor said, “When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God. He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others, but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over God’s business.” (Thank you, Marcia!)
Our responsibility is to work diligently in pursuing what we feel God is calling us to do. That’s the calling. The results of that calling, however, are God’s.
We release our work into the world and the results into God's hands. Click To TweetFather, it’s all Yours. The idea, the energy and creativity to do the work, and the bravery required to release it. What You choose to do with my work {for Your glory} is completely up to You. I rejoice in knowing that the definition of true success is being faithful to You, for being always trumps doing.
Does one particular truth from today’s post resonate with where you find yourself today?
So you’re telling me becoming a published author is full of emotions. I can hardly wait. Seriously I appreciate your words and I’m glad you were obedient in following God’s call to write this devotional series.
I replied earlier but just realized it didn’t show up! Sorry about that! Yep, that’s what I’m telling you, Daphne. ha!!! Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to seeing your calling come to fruition in 2018!
Ha! Prepareth thyself, Daph! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words. I look forward to seeing your obedience coming to fruition. Praying for your writing.
This is just what a I needed to read today Cathy. Thanks. And I totally get the sick to your stomach feeling when something releases. Every time I’ve poured myself into an article at Today’s Christian Woman, I’ve felt physically ill on the day it’s published.
I suppose in a strange way it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the feeling sick department. ha! Thanks for taking the time to share, Kim. Bless you, friend.
Thank you for sharing, Cathy. I’m on the same journey and really needed your reassurances.
Congrats, Diana! We’re in this together and if there’s anything I can do to help you along the way, let me know. We’ve got this! 🙂 {Thank You, Lord!} Thanks for sharing! It’s encouraging to me to know I’m not alone out here.
Thanks Cathy. This was a great reminder to me. My first and foremost goal has been to be obediant to God’s calling. Over the last year, I have gotten bogged down with what a writer should be striving for in the realm of publishing, and have lost my way at times. Like you said, if only one person is changed by my message, it may have been the only message that would change this person. And because I was obedient to God’s calling, a difference was made.
Yes, and amen, Sheryl! It’s so easy to get bogged down with what the world expects from us but as long as we keep the kingdom view of success at the forefront of our minds, we can release it all to Him. You’ve encouraged me and others with your comment. Thank you for taking the time to share. God bless you and the work of your hands, my friend.
Cathy, just what I needed today. I’ve often said to myself, “You’re a failure” because I didn’t sell a ton of books, or increase my blog following. But, when someone tells me how God used my writing in their life, I know it’s worth it. Thanks for this encouragement today!
Yes! And if you’re like me, God always prompts someone to give me that word of encouragement just when I need it the most. 🙂 Blessings, friend!
I like your definition of success. It seems the more we are drawn into the “world of publication” the more complicated it becomes. So many voices and pulling from all directions…whew. Thanks for bringing some balance to it. We don’t want to lose the joy of writing!
I couldn’t agree more, Cynthia. We don’t want to lose the joy of writing. Defining success for ourselves allows us to embrace as much or as little of the hoopla surrounding publication. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. I always smile when I see your name in my inbox. 🙂
Thanks for your post, Cathy. It’s so easy to get lost in all that we’re not– or not yet, with focusing on our social media following, email subscribers, blog subscribers . . . You’re so right to point us back to our source, and to remind us that we write because God has planted the words in our hearts. Best to you, Connie
Welcome back, Connie! 🙂 Loved your trip pics! Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings!
The proverbial prayer warrior strikes again. Thank you, Lady. <3
As does the encourager warrior. 🙂 *wink* Thanks for sharing, Sandra!
Wow. This all resonates with me…
It’s always nice knowing we’re not alone out here. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share, Jennifer!
Love the idea of defining success for yourself before others/the world does it for you. That is so true in every area of life! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Brennan! I appreciate you taking time to stop by and share. Love your site and I look forward to visiting it more in the near future. 🙂