A Holy Surplus


I've been working on my book since mid-March, and things were progressing well. I always met my daily word count in a reasonable amount of time, and though some days were better than others, I fell into an intense, productive groove.

Until a 50 foot concrete wall dropped in front of me. When the dust and debris cleared, I sputtered and coughed and wondered what on earth had happened. Suddenly, my inspiration vanished. My ability to think up stories, tie in meaningful spiritual truths--squashed--like a bug underneath the concrete wall.

Though I sincerely tried, I couldn't get over the wall, I couldn't plow under it, and there seemed to be no way around it. I prayed and paced and cried. Every effort failed.

Can you relate? You may not be writing a book, but maybe you are facing your own concrete wall. Maybe you've tried and prayed and paced and cried like I did.

When we're hemmed in by the unexpected, it's easy to panic and lose hope. I began to question my ability to finish my book and wondered why, in spite of all my efforts, I was getting nowhere.

Then I opened up my Bible for my nightly read, and God whispered. My frantic heart stood at attention, and I began soaking up the Truth I desperately needed to hear.

Mark 8:14-21
But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? ‘You have eyes—can’t you see? You have ears—can’t you hear?’ Don’t you remember anything at all? When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?”
“Twelve,” they said.
“And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”
“Seven,” they said.
“Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them.
The very last sentence gripped me. God began revealing that His abundance is always available to me, to you, to those who believe. If Jesus was able to feed 9,000+ men, women and children with a dozen loaves of bread and a few small fish, wouldn't He be able to give me the words I need to go into a book He clearly orchestrated?

I saw that even on the days I have no words, He does. Even on the days I feel tapped out, He holds exactly what I need. He only requires that I give Him what I have.

The very next morning, the words flowed...His words. And I sat in awe.

I don't know where you are or what you are in need of, but I do know this. If we give Jesus the little we have, He will transform it into a holy surplus.



16 comments:

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Ah, I am feeling like I have very little in my hands right now . . . the effects of moving. Thanks for the reminder . . . it is enough, because God is enough.

Fondly,
Glenda

Karen said...

Oh, Julie-holy surplus. That's great! In the middle of our crumbled wall, it is hard to understand. But you said it right! Thanks. Have a great week and many productive words.

Jill Beran said...

Julie, this is so good and a reminder I needed to do and believe something I will need to remember in the days ahead!! With our due date 7 weeks away I find myself a bit overwhelmed and wondering if I can really mother 5 little people...thanks for reminding me God has more than all I need!!!
Blessings,
Jill

KelliGirl said...

Julie,
I've certainly been there and felt dried out, ill-equipped and uninspired. How amazing that God always has a surplus to offers us. And how awesome that His word is alive and active, speaking just the words we need to hear.

So glad the book is going well. I'm so excited for you!!

Blessings,
Kelli

Amy Sullivan said...

Julie,
Most of the time when I hit a wall with my writing, I find that I am not spending enough time in the Bible, and I'm trying to force out ideas and thoughts that are mine and not His. It's good hearing someone else talk about this very thing!

It's been awhile since I've been here, but so glad I clicked by!

Btw, I'm going to She Speaks too!

Cheryl Barker said...

Amen and amen, Julie. He always provides. Praying for you!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

This is awesome, Julie, and SO true! I've been wondering where you were in the process. I'll be praying.

Yes, He is enough!

Terri Tiffany said...

I remember about a year ago when I was at a low point with this recession and I stumbled across this verse--so glad it ministered to you as it did me!

Marni said...

This hit it out of the ballpark for me right here...

"If Jesus was able to feed 9,000+ men, women and children with a dozen loaves of bread and a few small fish, wouldn't He be able to give me the words I need to go into a book He clearly orchestrated?"

This is His book I am writing...not mine! That has been my hangup...my mindset hasn't bee on that focus; yet deep down, I want His message to be revealed through the testimony I have to tell. My heart and mind weren't connecting in sync with one another. This causes confusion and division - and it has been keeping me from desiring to write.

God truly used this post to get things back into perspective, and to get me focused (and praying) with the mind and heart connected so His message truly can be revealed in this book - because He already wrote it, I just need to physically share it.

Thank you, Julie!

Andrea said...

Yes, I can relate. Lots of unknown and yet so much known! Called, but feel very inadequate and fearful related to GODS assignment for me, right now. I know HE will be faithful, but I am struggling.

Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea

Kelly said...

Congrats on getting over your writers block, and most importantly on giving the credit to God, who is indeed our source of hope, inspiration, and life itself!

Caroline said...

What a truly amazing gift He gives! Thank you for this post and sharing your lessons learned through struggles, Julie.

Leslie Rowe - GreatWords said...

Julie, I'm so glad you found your daily source!

So many times when I am writing for a client (and the topics were business or education or something equally non-passionate) - I would remind myself that God is CREATOR, that he uses WORDS to CREATE ("Let there be light), and that we are made in His image, and that He lives in me, and that I can say, "Creator, breathe creativity into me please, you are the source of all creativity" and next thing you know...life breathed right into my words.

You are an inspiration, because you are breathing life from the Inspirer.

Love you!

B His Girl said...

He does have a surplus but I think most of us live off crumbs. Can't wait to see you at She Speaks. B

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This is beautiful lesson concept in every possible way..
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Sonya Lee Thompson said...

I have tears in my eyes as I read this post. God just gave me the idea for a book, until now I've written articles/devo's but no books. I've been afraid of the task at hand, but excited at the same time.

I will keep this scripture (and blog post) near to my heart as I press on...

God Bless!

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