Clearing a Path

Something is intimidating about a blank page. For months I have wanted to write, but I don’t. I’ve listened to podcasts about writing and the creative aspects of writing. I’ve read two short books on writing, yet I don’t write.

Of course, I have my excuses.

• I don’t have time
• I have four kids and two dogs!
• My full-time job expects me to go to work to receive a paycheck and doesn’t seem to want to work with me and let me stay home and write all day long and still get paid. (I’m joking…First National Bank…please don’t fire me 😄)

In the end, excuses are just excuses. We make time for what we enjoy. We make time for what is important to us.

So here I am…writing…not sure to what end, but I’m writing.

Maybe early on my writing will be like the beginning of my recent sledding adventure with my kids. We had eleven inches of snow dumped on us, which made sledding a bit of a challenge. The first few times down the hill were slow because of the depth and softness of the snow. The kids jumped on the sled with great anticipation only to find themselves going a few feet and having a sled full of snow.

With each trip down, the path got longer. This process was not enjoyable, especially for my impatient eight-year-old, but it cleared a path that would give us over an hour of enjoyment. Before long the kids were zooming down the hill carelessly as I cringed waiting for a scream and potential trip to the ER.

I find this to be so true in my life and I’m sure yours as well.

The “What If” and “But” Monsters

We often have big ideas and desires, but never start. If we do happen to start, we find ourselves frustrated in that slow early grind of “clearing the path.” Our frustration and impatience give way to something more comfortable and we miss out on the reward of sticking with it.

• I want to read my Bible more, but I just don’t understand it.
• The thought of being a prayer warrior is great, but I keep hitting my alarm.
• I need to start back to church, but I don’t know anyone.
• Telling someone about Jesus is important, but what if they ask a question I don’t know the answer to?
• I feel like serving the Lord, but I’m not talented enough.

There is always going to be a “what if” and “but” to try to keep you from moving forward.

To be honest, I don’t know if I will ever hit “Publish” on this post. Do you know why? Because what if I don’t stick with writing? What if a good Netflix series comes on? I like the idea of writing, but what if it doesn’t resonate with people?

Do you get my point?

The “what if” and “but” monsters scare us away from many good ideas. Sadly, it’s not just hobbies and good ideas. These monsters have been known to scare many Christians out of obedience to God.

A Spiritual Battle

In the case of writing, it’s more of a hobby that I hope God will use to encourage others. If I never write again it won’t be the end of the world, but many of the decisions we hesitate to move forward on are direct disobedience to God.

That resistance you feel is either your flesh fighting the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life (Galatians 5:16-17), or it’s Satan and his army hurling fiery darts of doubt at you (Ephesians 5:16).

The very decision to obey God’s leading in your life, by faith, sets in motion a power working in and through you to accomplish whatever God is asking you to do. A power greater than any “what if” or “but” monster your mind or Satan can create.

Ephesians 3:20 reminds us of this very truth, that this power within us is not of us, but rather is the Holy Spirit working in us.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Let’s Start

So how about you? Are you going to start and push through the early grind clearing a path, or fall into the same common patterns?

This blog is my attempt to start writing…again. As I “clear a path” and find my groove I’ll write about a variety of subjects. Each subject will be centered around principles from the Bible, all with the goal of being an encouragement. Many will involve family and hopefully some of the funny and foolish situations I find myself in.

As I clear a path I also hope to, in time, write about some of the trials I have faced and what God has used to bring me through them.

What about you? What do you need to start?

Is it a new hobby or desire? What is keeping you from getting started?

Is it something God commands us to do? Then don’t delay. Understand what the goal of resistance (your flesh or Satan) is⏤to get you or keep you in disobedience with God. Claim the victory you have in Jesus Christ and…start.

Assuming I hit “Publish” on this post at some point, I’d love to have you join me on this writing journey. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (that I hope to start back soon) and follow me on Facebook, so you don’t miss a post.

I’d love to hear what you are going to START.

Let me know here in the comments or on the comments on the Facebook page post.