I haven’t blogged anything for a while. I’ve been bogged down in the blog bog (sorry lol). But I had no idea how long it had been since I’d written to you until I opened the folder on my laptop and realized that I haven’t written a single article this year!
In my defense, I have tried to write articles on certain important subjects such as suffering. I have lots to say about suffering. For example, how we tend to measure God’s love against our suffering (we shouldn’t do that), but I can’t write more than a few words before I wander off to engage in repetitive tasks and meaningless entertainment.
My new book is finished and at the publisher. We await its soon-coming debut. But The Performing Heart has been written for a while now, so my lack of productivity cannot be blamed on that. Is it the dreaded writer’s block? Laziness? Immaturity? Depression? Is there something wrong with me??????
I have no easy answers (I have no answers at all). I have questions.
Question Number One:
Will I ever be productive again? Should I be worried? What will I do with myself without meaningful work?
Question Number Two:
Is God mad at me for not being productive? Am I disappointing Him?
Question Number Three:
Am I letting my readers down? Will my readers fade away if I am not rapidly producing engaging material? You see, professionals who teach how to successfully grow and sustain a following advise me to keep a constant stream of chatter going on social media. I’m trying! But I’ve never been good at chitchat.
Question Number Four:
And the biggest question of all … Is it possible that God wants me to be quiet for a season? Is it possible that God is not worried about me building or sustaining a following?
No! Nooooo! It can’t be that, because then I have to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding! It is so much easier to blame my lack of productivity on my lack of character/maturity/creativity … you pick.
Then there is this:
There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every matter under heaven—
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1&7
Is it possible that I am in a God-ordained season of silence? And is my time to be silent coming to an end? This little article certainly has written itself.
An extended time of silence is a very uncomfortable season for a communicator like me. I’m sure you have been through some uncomfortable seasons of your own.
Let’s pray that God will bless our uncomfortable seasons with a sense of security and safety that can only come from Him.
God bless you in all your seasons!
Susan
Update: The Performing Heart in paperback and eBook will soon be available. I’ll let you know when. I’ll be running a sale! The Quiet Heart has been republished with a study guide. Perfect for any group interested in a serious Bible study. I have contracted to have The Quiet Heart and The Performing Heart made into audio books. Those will be available later. Check out the website (I did freshen it up) and the ministry YouTube channel.
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