Soundcheck

God knows I have a heart's desire to share what's going on behind the scenes as I write my book, article, or serious blog - whatever He wants it to be.

I was even going to create a section in the book called "Soundcheck". I still might. As a musician, I love soundchecks. They are raw and edgy and you sometimes get to see the performers in their street clothes eating cheeseburgers, so to speak. Errors are made, kinks are worked out, and people are genuine. They are the real deal, before the curtain goes up and the "masks" go on.

So, I am considering this blog my "soundcheck". You get to see what happens in the making of a book...what really goes on. Most of the time, all we see is the finished product and the polished author sitting at Barnes & Noble for a book-signing engagement.

But I desire for you to see not only the breakthroughs and victories but also the struggles. The bumps in the road. The frequent desire to quit. I pray that all of it will show you that you, too, can follow the dreams God has placed in your heart - even when you hit brick walls as you go. All things are possible in Christ Jesus (Matthew 19:26).

I was scared, at first, to break away from my comfort zone - the place where I could continue to admire and celebrate everyone else's magnificent creative works. For me, that was a safe place involving no vulnerability on my part. It is not risky to pat someone else on the back, but it is highly intimidating to put your own artwork up for display.

But I'm stepping out, no matter how much resistance I face on a daily basis from the adversary.

At the grocery store today, I thought about how amazing this leg of the journey is. How mind-blowing it is to uncover the creative gifts Jesus has given me and to begin to allow them to truly blossom as He intends for them to do. No matter what frustrations I face as I create, I am excited for where He will take it.

I remember, a few months ago, when the Lord said to me, "Angi, a picture does not just appear on a canvas. The artist spends months, sometimes even years, creating. So go create."

And I am. And I will. The crazy thing is, as much as I love my music and always will, writing is so easy for me that I sometimes can hardly believe it. I can write a piece like this in 10 minutes without much editing. Imagine what He will do if I continue to allow Him to truly use this gift...? The possibilities are endless.