A Big Announcement {But First, a Confession}

I’ve got a big announcement, but I want to start out with a confession, first.

Have you ever yearned to do something big? Something way bigger than your abilities—something so way out there it almost felt like there was no use even trying? So you ended up wimping out and settling for the easy thing…the comfortable thing…the thing you knew you could do?

*Sigh*

Well, sweet friends, I’m here to confess that did just that. I went for the comfortable thing. 
Last fall I submitted a book proposal (on the subject of prayer) to my editor at Harvest House, thinking, “Oh yeah, I can do this…”

My editor’s response? Kind words that tickled my ears. “Oh, this is a slam-dunk!” Meaning she felt the acquisitions board would love it and that it would sail through and get approved by the publishing board.

Wrong.

To my editor’s surprise (and mine), the publishing board rejected my proposal because there were too many similar books. But then things got interesting. The publishing board totally surprised me, saying, “We want to see you get out of the “books of prayer” box and write something bigger. Something more meaty." (Not that prayer isn’t meaty, but you get the idea).

I felt so busted.

Though I had sensed God leading me to write a more meaningful book, I allowed lack of experience (I’m a high-school drop-out just winging it, folks), flat-out fear, and lack of confidence in my abilities to trump what I sensed He really desired. But in His mercy, God moved on the hearts of my publishers and they invited me to do a bigger book.

And that’s when I sensed God inviting me out into the deep. The scary place where I couldn’t touch bottom. The place where it’s sink or swim, baby.

So I took several months to think and pray. And in January, when my husband and I participated in our usual 3-week Daniel fast, God made it clear to me that this was the way to go.

Here’s the announcement part: At the end of May I signed with my publisher to write book #2, a book of hope and promise for women. It’s tentatively titled She Believes, based on Luke 1:45, which I believe is every woman’s verse. 

Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things the Lord had spoken to her. (Luke 1:45)

It should release next summer. And I can’t wait to share it with you. But first I have to actually write it. Which I’m doing now, when I’m not praying with my face pressed into the carpet begging God to give me grace, to breathe on this book, shape it, and make it meaningful and beautiful. It’s a place of sacred desperation I’ve never known.

{If you seriously know how to pray, I would seriously love your prayers.}

In the meantime, know this: God loves you too much to allow you to choose the easy, comfortable way. He invites us out into the deep. To the place of utter dependence on Him—the place where dreams unfold but at a cost none of us can imagine. The place of destiny.

If you are struggling to move out into the deep, scary places, I understand. But I also know God is faithful. He will help us and never leave us.


Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. (1 Chronicles 28:20)

A Prayer for You
Lord, Help me not to always choose the easy thing. Give me a strong and courageous heart and meet me as I dare to step out and do the big thing—the scary thing. Help me to keep moving forward and do the work You have called me to do. Help me not to allow myself to be afraid or discouraged. Thank you for Your very real presence covering every area of my life. I’m grateful You will never fail me, because You, God, are utterly faithful. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

If you are reading this post via email, please CLICK HERE to leave a comment on my blog.


12 comments:

Charlene said...

I always love your posts - they encourage me and challenge me to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord. Praying for you, dear one!

Anonymous said...

How exciting! I agree with you, in prayer, that God will speak through you as you write. Just as He has used you with your blog, He is faithful and will use this book to heal and encourage many hurting women. ♡

Carol Ann said...

Congratulations! Praying for Holy Spirit power in the Name of Jesus!

Vicki Oski said...

Look forward to reading your new book! "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.". Phil 1:6

Linda P. said...

Julie, your post has reinforced a very specific thing God has been calling me to do for almost 5 years. I am fearful of moving into those deep waters of obedience but hearing God speak through this article to me once again, so clearly, is so encouraging.
(You might be interested in todays Insight for Living post from Chuck Swindoll/Focus on the Family, it completely touches on courage and again reinforced God's word to me. I suspect you might be encouraged by it as well.
I am committing to pray for you and your book. The verse from Luke has been a long standing article of promise for me on many occasions and I look forward to reading the inspired words God plans to reveal to you though it.
Maybe you could say an occasional prayer for me as i forge ahead into my own deep waters in search of courage and obedience. <3 God Bless

Julie Gillies said...

Your sweet comments are bringing tears to my eyes! Thank you for the encouragement!

Charlene: thank you for praying!

Linda P.: love how God has used this to reaffirm things for you! THANK YOU for the commitment to pray for me. May the Lord strengthen your heart and give you great boldness as you obey Him!

Barb said...

I'm so thrilled we (your publisher :) ) are on this journey with you, Julie! So sweet to hear the story behind the story. You know you have our prayers as you write!

Julie Gillies said...

Oh my goodness, Barb, I had no idea you read my blog. :-) I'm honored. And THANK YOU for praying!!! <3

Unknown said...

May you stay yielded and sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as you forge ahead in deep waters. May you walk selflessly toward where the Lord God will lead you.
Faithful Is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass~1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NASB)
IN THE NAME OF JESUS I PRAY, AMEN!

Anonymous said...

Love that your are writing new material. Your first devotional is my favorite

Dee Colson said...

Praying for your journey on this. Also, praying we all reach for the "BIG" thing and find encouragement along the way. What could happen if we all did that?

Terri Tiffany said...

I love this story. I love how you have been challenged to write deeper and pulling you out of your comfort zone. He will never give you more than you can handle. Amazing! Blessings!

Post a Comment