Have you ever taken a chance, but
didn't get what you were hoping for? Ever put yourself out there only
to find that you weren't the right person for the task? I hope you
can honestly say Yes because that means at least you've tried.
I recently submitted my new Bible
study, One Size Fits All: How to Wear God's Word, to the Women
of Faith writing contest. I've never entered a contest like that
before and knew the odds of winning were just a bit better than the
local lotto. I also didn't know if they would even accept a Bible
study or if they were looking for something different. But I did know
that it wouldn't hurt to try, so I took a shot.
I'm sorry to report that my study was
not chosen to be a contest finalist. I'm disappointed, but not as
much as I thought I'd be. Sure, I would have loved to have a book
contract with a renowned publishing house. But I didn't walk away
empty handed...
It gave me a goal. I used the
contest's deadline dates to structure my time. I didn't just have an
idea wandering around in my head anymore. I had the motivation I
needed to create small goals so I could be completely finished by the
final deadline date.
It gave me a focus. I don't know
about you, but I can have ten different thoughts running through my
mind at any given minute. I'll be working on the task at hand and
then “something shiny” distracts me and next thing I know, I'm
running down a rabbit trail. Knowing I had limited time to finish the
book kept my mind engaged and increased my focus.
It gave me hope.
How often do you dream about your life? I know so many people
who don't have a dream. They used to, but somewhere along the way
they lost hope and let it go. Finishing the study reignited the
passion within me. I had lost touch with the reason why I started
writing in the first place, to spread God's message of hope. God lays
dreams in our hearts for a reason—to glorify Him. He has a hope and
a calling for each one of us. We just have to believe that He can do
it!
I may not have been a finalist, but I
certainly came away a winner! Hopefully my experience will be an
encouragement to you. Is God prompting you to take a chance? Are you
allowing yourself to dream? Or are you afraid you may fail? Please
trust me as I say, allowing fear to keep you from your dreams is the
biggest failure of all.
Be blessed,
Jennifer
“Be strong
and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for
the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake
you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
2 comments:
Thank you for inspiring me by your example!
Thanks Teri! :)
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