“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!”
-Isaiah 31:1
My mom shared the gist of this verse with me several days ago over the phone as I told her about my desire to see my book business grow, so when that verse happened to be in my Bible reading the next day, I didn’t take it lightly.
The truth is, I have been feeling a bit discouraged as of late. Now that school is in session and we are living in a new state, I have been dreaming big dreams as to how to publicize my book more and to share this story with others. The problem is, no one seems to be cooperating with me. The last three attempts to try to schedule a book reading at different venues has been denied, and I’m left here wondering what I’ve done wrong and why no one seems to be interested in this story.
I know in my heart, however, that my heart has not been in the right place.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about a verse with a similar sentiment—the first verse found in Psalm 127.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
The last few weeks, I’ve been running around (in a figurative sense), trying to build my own “house” through attempts at growing my social media presence. Surely, this would help my book to get into the right hands! But in many ways, it has felt like trying to stack planks of wood on top of the other with no nails or anything to hold them together. On the outside, it might look like a half-decent start, but nothing is keeping any of it in place. Nothing, because I’ve been running ahead of God.
This is a hard topic for me to write about, because I believe we are called to walk by faith, and walking involves putting one foot in front of the other. It requires action. So, how do I walk the line between moving in faith and not trying in my own effort out of fear?
Really, it all comes back to my motives. It comes back to consulting God. And for me, it starts with prayer and asking God to work in my heart so that I can walk with Him in this endeavor. Ultimately, I need to remember my purpose here on earth, that I have been made by Him for Him and His purposes. Everything I do should be an act of worship to Him.
Today, I stopped thinking about myself so much and growing my business. Instead, I started to think of how I might help others through social media and through the different avenues He has given me, and it is already making a difference. I had peace. I felt like I had more time. And I was able to enjoy the present more and to feel joy again.
I still very much hope that I can get my book (and the subsequent ones) out there. I hope I can have the funds to illustrate the rest in this series and the other books to come. And I hope so incredibly much that this story will bless and change young hearts and that I’ll someday meet individuals in heaven that tell me my story was instrumental to them being there. But for now, I have to settle it in my heart that pleasing God with this aspect of my life and all others is what matters most.
Earthly kingdoms come and go. Businesses fade away. But what is eternal will last eternally. May my heart and mind be captivated by that. May that be the kingdom I help to build. May my house, in all ways, be founded upon that. That and that alone.
P.S. If you’d like to listen to my interview from last month, you can find it here: The Instrument Maker & The Mandolin – Christian Family Radio. Much love to you all!
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