I had wanted to write a book since sixth grade, when Mrs. Schwartz read my story in front of the whole class and told me I was a good writer. Her words were a drink to me, a salve. Even at age eleven, I knew writing was my love.
I also remember walking in to this new store called Barnes & Noble my senior year of high school, gaping at the sheer magnitude of books available. These books were written by people with a similar dream—to be published. And there were thousands and thousands of them. How on earth would I even get my toe in the door?
These two memories keep my head level these days, as I prep for my next book’s release in 25 days (like a baby, every book is brand new, and just as thrilling/nerve-wracking/filled-with-the-unknown). The to-do list is insurmountable, almost undoable. I texted Lisa-Jo today that all of it makes me want to put on yoga pants with a pint of ice cream and watch Downton. This is how I handle the stress.
I stress because I want the book to do well, but I also stress because I want it to genuinely, truly bless readers, and not be about me. I don’t want to be a thundering drum on the Internet, another clanging cymbal shouting, “Look at me and my latest thing! Isn’t it great?!”
I want the hours and hours of soul-bled writing in those pages to stir deeply in hearts, cause peace and create change, encourage contentment and instill an unforeseen drive for people to be the change they wish to see in the world. I truly do want people to live simply, so that others can simply live. If this book crawls our culture one step closer to that ambitious goal? Then it’s done its job.
And so my inclination is to sit on my hands, to hope and pray that the book does its thing, and do my best to get out of the way. But it doesn’t really seem like God’s called me to that right now. He wants me to work, and work diligently.
I think we often mistakenly think God wants us to die to ourselves and our dreams, but this just isn’t true. He wants us to identify with Christ’s death so that our lives are a sacrifice to God. And not just be any sacrifice—a living sacrifice.
God wants me to be alive. To live. To be a living sacrifice. He wants my life to be full, active, teeming with desire and zeal to make His ways known, to use the gifts He’s given me for HIS glory. The work of my hands bring Him glory. I’m not doing His creativity any honor by acting as though He wants me to die to all this.
And so, I stay out of those figurative yoga pants (don’t worry; I stay in the literal ones), and I put my nose to the grindstone. I work. I do what I’m called to do, one step at a time. And I do my best to offer the work of my hands as an offering to Him, working heartily to Him.
I know there will be a season on the horizon for rest, and when that arrives, I will gladly relish in it. But today is not that day. Today, for me, is a day to work.
What about you – how is God asking you to roll up your sleeves this month?
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Tsh,
First, let’s thank God for yoga pants lol. All kidding aside, my word for the year is “Intentional”. I plan to roll up my sleeves and be intentional about every day that I am blessed to wake up to. Intentional in my words and deeds and especially intentional about seeking Him through His word. I’m tired of the days just slipping away and not being able to point to something that says, “I sought to glorify Him”. All the best with your new book!
Blessings,
Bev
Tsh Oxenreider says
A good word! Hope 2014 goes well for you in that department, Bev… 🙂
Amanda says
Good luck with your book Tsh. It sounds like exactly what I’d love to curl up with and I look forward to buying it.
Tsh Oxenreider says
Aw—thanks!
shelly says
I am getting divorced at age 50 this year. God is telling me to learn about finances and to budget and to take fiscal responsibility for myself. This is something I am afraid to do. I am being asked to do it anyway, to do the work. It’s hard, but I know it’s mine to tend to right now.
Thank you for sharing. It helps to know others are working hard too!
Debbie says
Shelly….
Good luck…. hang in there. I’m sure God will guide you in the right direction.
Beth WIlliams says
Shelly,
Prayers for you and your family during this divorce. May God come along side you and guide every step of the way. I pray He gives you great mentors and advisors to help you with your finances and budgeting.
God Bless! 🙂
Tiffany says
I lay in bed at 4:00 this morning, thinking about all of the dreaming and planning I’ve been doing, and realizing it is time to get to work. I’ve been home with my kids for the last few months and it has been great. Now it is time for me to work on going back to school and getting a job. I always get hung up on the ‘doing’ step? I am praying that God comes along side to propel me forward, into the action I fear. Thank you for these great thoughts.
Tsh Oxenreider says
“…realizing it is time to get to work.”
Wow, Tiffany, what a good thing to realize this morning! I pray God will lead you every step of the way into your fear. It’s a good place to be. 🙂
Kimberly says
I needed this encouragement today, Tsh. I’m at a crossroads and have felt very much like giving up on various things I believe God called me to do. Your words stirred something in me that I’ve been afraid to explore–the idea that this might be the time to be diligent and intentional regardless of the results. I think I’ll need to return to this post again today:)
Tsh Oxenreider says
Regardless of the results—yes! Because they’re not really in our control anyway, right?
Crystal Walton says
Oooo…right on time. I’m currently pursuing publication along with building a readership–both of which, at times, puts me in a tug-of-war between wanting to be a diligent worker and wanting to avoid striving in my own strength. I’ve always wrestled with this. Just as you mentioned, I’m so cautious about making it about me or some me-kingdom kind of dream instead of a God-Kingdom dream. I’m cautious about trying to fill a role that is God’s to fill. But sometimes it’s freeing for me to hear that it’s okay to work. It’s a partnership.
Tsh Oxenreider says
It’s totally okay to work!
Sareh says
So good Tsh! I especially love the emphasis on being a living sacrifice. My focus for the year is the word ‘work.’ It’s so simple and so hard at the same time. I love your website and am looking forward to your book!
Gwendolyn Coleman says
“Live simply so there’s may simply live” I may never forget these words. My goal for 2014 is to live intentionally to honor my Lord & to simplify… Which ties directly into your beautiful quote – thank you, God Bless & I look forward to your book<3
Tsh Oxenreider says
Thanks! That quote has been attributed to both Mother Teresa and Gandhi, so it certainly wasn’t me who first said it. 😉
Calista says
“We often mistakenly think God wants us to die to ourselves and our dreams, but this just isn’t true. He wants us to identify with Christ’s death so that our lives are a sacrifice to God.”
This statement speaks to me profoundly. After a rough year I thought some dreams were dead and I felt lifeless in my soul. However, statements like yours above and Scripture like, “In Him we live and move and have our being,” remind me that while my life is not my own, my dreams belong to Him. He gave them to me.
I am a living sacrifice. Am I a willing sacrifice?
Tsh Oxenreider says
A good reminder for me, too. Thanks for your perspective.
Sabra Penley says
Yes! Yes! Yes! Everything you have written expresses beautifully what God has been teaching me. My old self must die…but my new self (created in Christ Jesus) must live and live to the full! Thanks for being faithful to share, Tsh!
Candy Warren says
Get to work! It’s what I’ve been telling myself for a year now. The 2 or 3 hours I spend studying and writing are not enough. I need to be more disciplined in my work for the Lord. Thanks for the encouragement.
Cynthia says
Tsh, so timely a post for me, thank you. I am coming off a season of resting in Him after YEARS of chasing, chasing, chasing. 2014 will be a year of hard work for me in achieving those pieces He’s called me to create – my God-sized dream (a faith app). But rather than feeling daunted by it as I have in the past 6 months, I feel rejuvenated! Reading posts like these, knowing other women are tempted by the yoga pants and Downton (which season premiere I DID finally watch, thank you very much), but choosing work over denial, is inspiring…life-affirming…comforting. Thank you for these wonderful words. And GOOD LUCK with the book release! So exciting!
kelly says
Tsh- first of all..been following your blogs for awhile and i am excited for YOU and this book that you soul-searched…bleed for and if i may be so bold as to say…a little jealous because I don’t know what God wants me to do…I “think” I am listening…but I guess I am not since i feel like I am still floundering…I continue my bible studying/reading each and every am..get up to get kids ready for school hubby to work…then get myself to go to work…wish i could wear yoga pants they really make you look slimming don’t they??? and are soooooo comfy..sigh…but anyway I HOPE I am on the path God wants me to be and try to be patient and for his calling…I hope I don’t fail him too often either…and ask for forgiveness often. Thanks for listening
Lora Lynn says
I’ve been pondering this lately. A lot. Very timely. Thank you!
Cheryl says
I’m having a real hard time with this season of my life. I know that God has brought me to the place that I work, but the pressure and mean intent of those around me has me really questioning God right about now! My heart is heavy and I’m worn out. I’m praying that God sees me soon.
linda says
Wonderful reminder to help me keep on keeping on. Thanks.
Paula Palermo says
Happy for you!!!! I am putting the finishing touches on a novel that has taken me six years to write , have edited, revised, now doing the covers, the back, the front….you probably don’t know what I mean…but I’m gladly self-publishing and have worked hard to make this what I felt inspired by the Holy Spirit to write and put fort. So, yes, here’s to diligence…it is a joy to walk it out…no matter what the results…His plan for the work itself will not fail.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Tsh, congratulations on your new book!
My hard work this month is focused on finishing and editing my first manuscript. It’s about spiritual fathers and sons/daughters, and I keep hearing so many people talking about the need for this message. I really got derailed the last quarter of 2013 and I’m trying to get back on track. I have the oddest feeling that I need to get it finished and back on track this month, lest the Lord release my message through someone else. So it’s nose-to-the-grindstone!
Thanks for the encouraging post!
Kelly says
I am also hoping The Lord is giving me the strength & help to get our family out of debt!!
Gertie says
Hi there, I check your blogs on a regular basis. Your story-telling style
is awesome, keep it up!
Beth WIlliams says
Tsh,
Congratulations on the book being published! May it bode well for you and the work you are doing!
God is calling me to be diligent and intentional at work. To do a job that I’m not fond of & don’t really like, but to do it and do it well. He is also asking me to pray especially for my husband and co-worker, medical field & times are tough, so they don’t lose their jobs.
I’m also working with family to get my aging father moved into an assisted living facility. Doing the paperwork, getting things in order, etc. All with family out of state.
Thanks for a superb post! 🙂