An Update
Instead of a traditional blog post this week, I want to take the time to give a quick update on where I am in this writing journey God has called me to.
Next week, I will be attending She Speaks, a conference for Christian women writers, speakers, and content creators. I am both excited and a little nervous. I can’t wait to mingle with other like-minded women who have also answered God’s call to share what He has done in their lives. We’ve already been connecting online, and they all seem like amazing, kind people. We will also get the chance to meet and hear from some of the best writers, publishers, editors, and speakers in the business. It will be a huge melting pot of all types, from newbies like me to professionals who have been doing this all of their lives. And the following week, I have the opportunity to meet with an acquisitions editor to discuss my book idea and potential next steps.
I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as the date of the conference has gotten nearer. At first, I let myself be worried that I might sound a little foolish or too green when talking to the professionals who will surround me, but I have been reassured by past attendees that there’s no reason to be nervous. And even more importantly, I know my God will be with me. (Joshua 1:9) I also know that if I go into both the conference and the meeting prayerfully, God will help me with what I should say and do. My quiet time with Him has emboldened me to approach this even with excitement and eagerness to learn.
In the past week, I have also had many interactions that, while ugly, have emboldened me that I’m on the right course. I’ve had multiple strangers attack my faith online and even try to discredit Scripture as a whole. We are warned that when this happens, it is Satan using any tactic he can to try to dissuade us, “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). But the good news is we are given an entire book full of encouraging stories of people who have stood against Satan’s schemes and won. Furthermore, Paul instructs in his letter to the faithful in Ephesus to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (6:10-11). I will be sure to theoretically strap this armor on as I move forward to help me stand my ground.
I won’t lie and say it was easy to shake off what others have said. Until today, their words were still popping up in my mind when I least expected it, causing a peaceful moment to immediately become the opposite. But this afternoon, I took the time to make peace with it all. I said a prayer for those who had so much anger against me, and then said another for myself, asking for forgiveness for dwelling on it so long and encouragement to keep moving forward in what I know God has called me to do. It’s amazing how much better I feel.
In closing, I would like to ask for your prayers for this coming week. Please pray that God will speak to me through these women and that I will be encouraged by working and worshipping alongside them. Pray for safe travels for us all as many are traveling from all over the country to North Carolina. And finally, I ask as Paul did that you would “pray also for me, that whenever I speak, my words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
