As I write this, I am fighting the reality that I probably won’t pull off my big book launch plan. My plan involved videos and being witty and lots of social media exposure. But at 11:08 pm on Friday night, I don’t think it’s going to happen. My delusions of grandeur are losing air like a three-day-old balloon in the clutches of a happy cat.
And I think I’m okay with that.
Limitations vs Dreams
And, now it’s 11:19 pm, and I’m postulating on the dichotomy between knowing your limitations and dreaming big. I heard a Chip Ingram sermon today (you can listen to it HERE!), and he said we each possess everything we need to achieve our dreams. God gives us the dream, and He equips us for it. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need to put in some training and hard work.
I’ve learned this lesson over and over as I’ve written, rewritten, rewritten again, given up, started over, and jumped all in to my writing. My journey as a writer has not been easy. It took me ten years just to figure out why I’m doing this. And as I sit here, listening to my sweet husband do the dishes, so our favorite coffee cups are waiting on us in the morning, I am so completely thankful to have my delusions of grandeur busted open yet again. I can’t do it all, and that’s okay.
You’re Going to Have to Work
We do ourselves no favor to think we can climb the mountain, soar great heights, conquer our uncertainties, or stand fearless as a warrior without doing the work required to achieve those things. I spun my wheels for a long time in my writing before I got serious, studied, practiced, and stopped thinking it was all about me.
My book, For the Good of All, is about a girl who doesn’t really know who she is. She’s spent most of her life hiding her gifts and not embracing them. And when she finally is free to be herself, she realizes that her significance had nothing to do with her or her gifts.
Delusions of Grandeur No More
So no more delusions of grandeur. The grandeur comes not from us, anyway. It abides in the arms of love, and there’s no delusion in the reality of a loving God who went to great lengths for me to know him. God has given us everything we need to do all that he’s called us to do. Now, it’s up to us. Sure, we must walk in faith, believe unreservedly that He is at work in this world and in our little lives. But we must also get busy. Books don’t write themselves. Launches don’t just happen. Weight doesn’t come off. Marathons aren’t run. Relationships aren’t restored, and lives aren’t changed without the struggle.
Stop believing it’s supposed to be easy. You have everything you need, so start cultivating it. Train. Exercise. Get to work.
And I’m going to venture a guess here, but I think when you achieve your dreams, you may look back and see God’s handprint all over your training, exercise, and work.
And with that, I better get busy. My grand vision for a launch may not happen, but something will. I’m not giving up yet. Be on the lookout for the “Challenge Countdown to Release.”
Check out my short story “The Door” on page 41.
Mary Beth, you must have written this post specifically for me. This is exactly what I needed to hear at this time. I just finished listening to Chip Ingram’s sermon. If you change the girl to a boy, your book sounds like it could be about me. I can’t wait to read For the Good of All. If you need my help with your launch, please let me know how I can help you with promoting it. That said, I need to get busy working on my own writing today. Those devotions and script outline won’t write themselves. 🙂
David, so good to hear from you! I just prayed for you this morning and that God would keep you writing and sharing your gifts and guide you with your new job! Congratulations, btw! And thanks for the offer to help with the launch! I’ll post something soon and would love for you to share it! Blessings to you!
I can’t wait to read your new book! I will share and comment! You go girl!!