This time last year, my Bible study was hot off the press. Brand new. Released to the masses.
What was for so long a perfectly kept secret between God and me was suddenly visible for all the world to see.
What a ride!
In reflecting, God has brought to mind a few things from my journey after publishing – things that apply to our journey as Christ-followers – that I wanted to share with you.
3 Things I’m learning one year after publishing and how they apply to you too:
#1. Success is found in obedience alone.
When writing my first Bible study, The Wardrobe of Christ, I genuinely had no idea what would come of it or if anyone other than my husband would read it. Well, that’s not entirely true. I knew I could coax a few friends into working through it with me … and surely my mom and my mentor would take one for the team.
Yet, the moment the study was public, I became enamored with book sales. (Ugh. That’s hard to see in black and white.) As the tallies slowly trickled in, success seemed to creep further and further away.
{But God sees my heart, and He has been working.}
Now, one year later, I’m learning that success is found in obedience alone. Not in book sales.
Ladies, that’s good news for us all.
The reality is that most of us will never be the best, the brightest or the most beautiful. We won’t win the prize for Mom-of-the-Year. Our houses will not make the front cover of a magazine. The world will never give us it’s universal stamp of approval. However, if success is really found in obedience, then we all have a good shot at getting there. Everyday.
What’s the last thing God asked you to do? Obey and succeed.
Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
#2. Sometimes being brave looks like daring to be fully me.
It might seem like an strange epiphany but this one is big for me. As one friend put it, “It’s funny how completely confident you are in some things and completely insecure you are in others.” She’s right. Oddly confident and oddly insecure.
When I started blogging more, I began reading more blogs too – blogs from women I respect – women who have been blogging for years -women who are published. But instead of being challenged and inspired, I felt insignificant and a little lost. My measuring stick was getting a workout, and I was getting smaller by the day.
{But God sees my heart, and He has been working.}
This year has been a year of learning how to bravely just be me.
Brave is letting you see me for who I really am: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Brave is being as confident in person as I am behind the screen (or book pages.)
Brave is telling the truth – being transparent – being vulnerable.
Really brave is letting you see me cry (Baby steps, people, baby steps.)
I’m still learning.
You’re probably already brave like that. Aren’t you? You don’t wear masks or hide behind other people’s perceptions of you. But just in case … read this from someone who God uses so often to inspire me:
#3. God’s approval is the only one that matters (and I already have it.)
I’ve been chasing after applause for as long as I can remember, although you may never know it. I’ve gotten really good at acting like I don’t care what you think. But the truth is: sometimes I care too much.
A performer. A people pleaser. Either one will do. I just need for you to be happy. Oh – and I need you to like me too.
As soon as the study was released, social media and it’s ability to provide instant gratification (or lack there of) quickly fed my need to perform. How many followers? How many likes? Was it a good Amazon review?
My boundaries were beginning to expand, and the number of people I wanted to please was growing too.
{But God sees my heart, and He has been working.}
Now, one year later, I’m reminded that God’s approval is the only one that matters, and I already have it.
Nothing I can do or say will add to my value. Ever.
Right now – today – God is pleased with me because of Jesus. Not because of me.
His acceptance is a gift – by grace, through faith. Not by works, so that I can never boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
And you know what … He’s pleased with you too.
You. Just the way you are.
It’s time we put down our hoops, my friends. We’ve been juggling them for far too long.
As as for my need to please you – well, that’s one I’ll need grace for everyday. I’m still learning. I’m finding, however, that the harder I chase after the heart of God, the less I’m captured by the ways of this world. The more I am filled by Him, the less I need from you … and I like that.
It’s been an exciting, challenging year for me.
And thankfully, God sees my heart, and He’s been working.
What’s God been working on in you?
Deborah says
Carrie, Thank you for this post. I am on the road to beginning my own blog and its a little frightening for me. I believe this is what God is laying on my heart and I really needed to read this as I kind of "resist" the doing of the thing 🙂 So your message was a timely one…from God's heart through you, to me, I think, perhaps.
Bless you as you continue to write for Him and trust Him with the fruit.
Debbie