Sometimes You Have to Jump

One year ago I was nearing the end of writing a book.  I had invested 500 hours into it, and I was about to scrap the whole thing.

I took out a loan for $12,000 to self-publish.  I was afraid of the debt. 
I was weary after months of writing in the dark hours of the early morning.  
I suffered from self-doubt.  "It isn't really that good.  No one will read it."  
I felt naked with the choice to be transparent in my story-telling.  
I had writer's block near the end.  I couldn't find an effective conclusion.  

It was like standing at the end of a dock on a lake.  Should I jump in?  The water is so cold.  I was about to hit "delete" on the whole project.  But first, I went for a walk.  And the words on this note card came to me.  
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With these words, I was possessed.  I had to keep going.  This line became my prayer for the remainder of the process:  "Lord, I'll just keep writing and trust that you will give the words."  

So I jumped.  Writing became an exercise of faith.  To leap without knowing where I'd land.  To walk without being certain of the path.  
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Today, I'm approaching 5,000 copies distributed.  For a little self-published book, all expectations have been exceeded.  

Every week, I hear from strangers around the country.  Loved & Sent is being used in small groups and book clubs.   For leadership development, new member classes, and sermon series.  See a list of churches and organizations here. 

The book has been used to raise thousands of dollars for causes.  An immigrant and refugee agency.  An urban after-school ministry.  Christian Camps.

 A pastor in Wisconsin wrote me,   “I gave gave the book to a truck driver that kept coming to me with questions.  I encouraged him to read it.  After the chapter on grace, he asked me about baptism.  He was baptized last Saturday night.”  

What's your dock?  Is it time to leap?  Why aren't you jumping?    

"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."

"Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light; faith's rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her great Guide."                                    - Charles Haddon Spurgeon.


Major props to these people for their love and encouragement.

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