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(photo credit: David Padfield/FreeBibleimages.org)

I have exciting news to share. The manuscript for my book, Life, Faith, and Saltwater Taffy, is in the publisher’s hands and should be available in early 2022. It has been quite a journey.

A few days ago, I was reading a devotion from Sheila Walsh’s 5 Minutes with Jesus, in which she presented what was, at least to me, a fresh perspective on a familiar story. It got me thinking about what it looks like to follow God’s call on our lives, which for me involved a years-long writing process.

The passage Sheila focused on is the story of Jesus and his disciples heading out onto the Sea of Galilee and getting caught in a serious squall (Mark: 35-39). Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat … until the others woke him with these words, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” At this point, Sheila drew her reader’s attention back to what Jesus had said before they pushed off, only three verses prior in the text. He had said, “Let us go over to the other side.” Read that again: “Let us go over to the other side.” That was Jesus’ plan, not to get to the middle of the lake and drown! Had the disciples not been so wearied and worried, they might have realized they just needed to keep paddling and trust the plan.

As I pictured the disciples in the middle of the lake, I reflected on my journey writing the book. While the difficulties were certainly not as life-threatening as being in a small boat in a big storm, it was not all smooth sailing. There were a variety of challenges and sometimes I wondered if I—and the manuscript— would, indeed, reach the intended destination.

When I began, I had thoughts and experiences to share, but didn’t know what I didn’t know about writing. Technology, and my lack of computer-savvy, was a regular source of frustration. The world of publishing was a complete mystery. However, I felt called to write the book, and was pretty sure its purpose was to encourage others. So, when people would ask about my plans, all I could say was, “If God wants people to read this, he’ll see that it gets published.” Meanwhile, keep writing. Keep rowing.

My progress was not slowed by heavy seas, but rather by various demands on my time. Just take a few strokes of the oars/a few strokes of the pen. Don’t give up.

Every now and then, sharp questions or criticism from others would hit me like a cold wave. But honestly, the roughest conditions I faced were created by my own doubts. When I doubted my preparation and abilities, I remembered Paul’s words: “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He made us competent as ministers of a new covenant …” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, NIV). When my faith faltered, I reminded myself it was not so much my ability to hold onto God that mattered, but God’s ability to hold onto me. After all, hadn’t Jesus promised “… no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28, NIV)? So, keep rowing.

And now, after what felt like an exhausting Olympic sprint to the finish line, the writing is done. I have hit “send” on all my files, along with the 21 delightful illustrations created for the book by my artist-friend, Jenny Shute. I don’t know exactly what the terrain will look like on the other side of publishing, but the manuscript has reached its destination and the book will soon reach readers.

I believe each of us has a unique purpose. You may know what that is for you, and be on your way. If not, do you sense there is a purpose for you to step into, but are not sure exactly what that looks like? Keep listening, learning, and watching for God’s guidance.

Do you feel a specific tug on your heart, and are pretty sure God is calling you into some work for the Kingdom? Do you feel it’s time to push off from shore? You don’t need to know precisely where you’ll land. In fact, you may find some surprising turns up ahead. You only need to put your oar in the water, trusting the One who calls you. 

“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act” (Ps. 37:5, ESV).

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16, NIV).

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6, ESV).