God always knows what we need, when we need it, doesn’t he?

I have been working on plans to begin a writing group at my church (I mentioned this before in Dog Walking. But Not Really.) and have given myself a deadline for getting the initial planning done and ready to present to the creative arts pastor for approval and feedback. As I was taking notes, pondering options for the structure, the purpose, the critique method, the everything, I began to have serious doubts.

You’ve called me to do this, Lord, but I’m unsure of myself.

Ahem, Rhonda. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).

But I’m not a published writer. If that’s someone’s goal, I don’t know how to get them there. (Is that even the point? What IS the point?)

Again, Rhonda, think. You’ve been thinking all along about creating a community that can support each other in their faith and grow friendships in the Lord, but do so through the medium of writing. So that is one purpose, perhaps the underlying one. Your obvious purpose is to help each other become better writers (you are well equipped for that). You also want to support the church through collaborative writing.

Give us a collaborative writing project. I’ve been asking all over the church to help as a writer and so far nothing. Nada. Zilch. Except that one time I was asked to write something that was so far outside of my writing realm that I honestly couldn’t do it, even though I tried.

There will be a project. (Maybe this is something you shouldn’t worry about. Maybe someone else will be the ideas person.)

I have a tendency to want to do it myself. I have to remember not to insist on running things alone. This is already difficult, because I already want to call it “mine.” But it’s yours, for YOUR glory. Don’t try to steal that! And if other people are meant to be involved as leaders, who are they? Who else, Lord?

???

Crickets.

But then today, in a devotional I was reading, God’s timing showed up. It was perfect timing, perfect reassurance about God equipping you to do the work he has chosen you to do. And I know I have been chosen to plan this group, to start it up. I just honestly have no idea what I am doing. But then I read: “Holy Spirit will bring you wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and even skill as you step into the creative tasks God is calling you to. He’ll even bring you a crew!” (p. 144).

Nothing like God telling me he’s got this, right when I am getting anxious about it. He’ll help me with the plans, he’ll send the right people along. So now I’m praying that God will take away my anxiety, help me to trust him, and enable me to do what he needs me to do, as he would have me do it. And if you’re working on something you believe God has called you to, but have no idea how, I pray that he’ll show up just in time with the reassurance you need. Praying for you, friends!