I remember catching June Bugs in the Summer. I would tie a string to its leg near the body. The bug would fly in tethered circles, making a noise delightful to my childish ears. This pastime temporarily kept the emerald-colored beetle from flying free, which might have caused injury.
Bugs aren’t the only creatures that can be hindered from freedom. The Israelites were held captive by unbelief. God told them to enter the Promised Land flowing with mild and honey. Promised Blessings abounded, but eight out of ten spies believed giants within the land were impossible to defeat. Joshua and Caleb believed God would help them conquer their enemies and live in the land of abundant blessings.
The majority of people believed reports given by the skeptical spies who outnumbered the believers. God pronounced that all the warriors forty years and under would roam the wilderness until they died, never walking into the land of promise.
Like the June Bug bound by human hands, so were the Israelites. Rather than living free in their purposed place, they roamed in tethered circles for forty years. Their complaints were a constant noise, not accepted by Moses and Aaron or God, their creator. This constant wandering kept the children of Isreal from living free but caused needed injury to their flesh.
I roamed for fourteen years, yearning to publish. I was tied to unbelief. Thoughts of not being talented enough, not being well-rounded enough, not being qualified, and having unattainable tasks plagued my mind. The Holy Spirit kept nudging me, so I finally plunged into the pursuit of publishing. I’m not as talented, well-rounded, or qualified as many I’ve met in the industry. Success and monetary gain are nearly impossible to attain while publishing, but I believe God has a promised land of abundant blessings somewhere ahead. All accomplishments will be for His glory, not my own.
Walking years in circles has taught me to walk straight into God’s place of purpose while trusting Him to slay the giants. He’s humbled me, proved me, and searched the wicked motives of my heart. I pray I’ll keep God’s commandments and remember all the ways He’s led me.
May I ask if you are held from your purpose because of unbelief? Do you listen to the nay-sayers rather than the few who believe in God’s will for you? Do you know God will slay your giants and lead you to a promised place of blessing? When He does, will you remember all the ways the Lord has led you?
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. Deuteronomy 8:2
You are right, Lisa, authors are plagued with self-doubt, the imposter syndrome, and whispers from the enemy that our words don’t matter. My friend, you’ve persevered through the doubt and fears, are sharing books that delight children and parents, and are spreading the Gospel of Jesus. Thank you for not giving up. You’re a wonderful role model for us.