I know it isn’t the last Friday of the month, but I’ve had a calling on my heart for awhile now and it finally seemed like time to share it with you. I also shared this same post on social media if you follow me there.
Have you ever said you’re “all in” for something? It’s a familiar phrase, but how often do we really think about what that means?
About six months ago, after standing on the edges for my last two novels, I decided I was ready to take the leap into the world of Christian Fiction publishing. I told myself I was “all in” while only announcing my decision to my author friends and close family, but not my readers. Of course, I made a few changes to my website and posted more spiritual content on social media, but I was still hiding my light under a bushel. Because let’s face it, I was afraid.
“What if they find me preachy?”
“What if they give me terrible reviews?”
“What if they accuse me of being a fraud?”
“What if all my readers leave me?”
“What if…?”
I had spent seven years cultivating my readership and it could all my gone with the click of a button. Was being “all in” really worth that?
The past month of my life has been flooded with reminders that “whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God.” As in near-daily occurrences. I heard it in my Mommy Writers group and in multiple Instagram reels and posts. It was the message in our priest’s homily this past Sunday, seen in a Walking With Purpose Bible Study video on Monday, and at Ladies Praise and Worship last night in a church that wasn’t even my own denomination. But it wasn’t until afterward, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, that I finally committed to writing this post.
Jesus’s answer to every one of those “what ifs” I had was “What if they do?” and that is not an easy answer to accept. But I do believe the risk is worth it. God wants us to be “all in” for Him. That doesn’t mean it will be easy and truthfully, it will usually be a daily battle. But he takes that battle on His shoulders and fights for us. And I want my words, in whatever small measure, to fight for you and inspire you, my readers.
I hope you will continue this journey with me, but even if you don’t, I am thankful for each and every one of you. I hope you know how truly blessed you are. ❤️
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Kelsey Gietl 