I discovered the story because I had seen reviews of a new author’s
first novel online a few years ago and added it to my TBR. Then, a few weeks
ago, I saw reviews of her second novel which reminded me I still want to read
the first. I moved that novel to the top of my list and then looked to see if our
library had it. Somewhere in the process, I discovered that before she wrote
either of these books, this author wrote a book on prayer. * I purchased it to
read right away—and did so!
I was surprised to discover that the author had
self-published this 38-page book and that the prayers were all geared toward
achieving her dream of writing a novel. She published the prayers to encourage
others to bravely (and prayerfully) take steps toward reaching their dreams. She
published the book in 2017, just five years before Revell released her first
novel. They are getting ready to release her third next year. Five years from
self-published book of prayers to traditionally published novel. Two more books
in three more years.
“Lord, will you do that for me?” I prayed. Somewhere deep
inside I sensed His reply. God has a unique plan for me. I need to keep writing
and wait patiently. God won’t reveal my future, but everything will happen in
just the right way at just the right time. I do believe this.
Being encouraged by the success stories of others is one
thing, but comparing my story to another’s and hoping God will do the same in
me is something else. Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) says, “For I am about to do something
new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway
through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Not only
does our God make every person unique, but He also has a unique way of working
in every individual life. God doesn’t want to repeat someone else’s story in
me. Through my life, He wants to do a new thing.
A few days after my talk with God about His plan for me, our
pastor preached from Romans 4. He told us how God did an entirely new thing
through Abraham. Abraham came from a pagan culture and had no knowledge of God.
Abraham had no human mentors to follow. He had no Scripture—no 10 Commandments,
no Torah, no Psalms or Proverbs or Gospels or letters from Paul. Abraham only
had God, yet He took God at His Word and followed His instructions by faith.
Romans 4:20 (NLT) says, “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In
fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.” Abraham
waited several decades for the child God promised to him and Sarah, his wife.
The waiting wasn’t wasted; it tried and strengthened his faith.
God hasn’t made me any specific promises about my dream. But
He has promised He has a plan for me—and by faith, I believe I am living it
out. I need to stop imagining what God might do and simply let Him do it. In
the meantime, I’ll do whatever my hand finds to do—with all my might—and trust
God to work out His plan.
*Brunsvold, Sara. Uncage My Brave: Pray Brave, Fly Free. Kansas City, 2017
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