It's Not Who You Know

This is the Devotional I wrote and shared at the San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild Fall Conference hosted at Maranatha Chapel in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

Morning Devotional ~ Saturday, September 24, 2011

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!’(Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)

Writing is a journey. I can say this with full confidence because I remember sitting at one of the back round tables many years ago when Jerry B. Jenkins was the main speaker. When his “Left Behind” series was in full storm. I was 19. With newly healed skin and a fresh heart to share God’s truth. I hungered to be seen. Heard. And read.

It took many years of obscurity to bring me to this place for such a time as this.

I stand before you now a broken individual full of God’s grace and hope. I am a walking miracle of what it looks like to walk in the Spirit. I am ready to be blessed. I want you to know that I waited seven years to get my first book published, more than two years to get my second book published, and over five years of waiting on my third. Not to mention the 12 years, 10 months, and 24 days I waited on God before He blessed me with a future husband.

Writing is a journey. Remember and don’t forget that. Along the way God may ask you, “See! I am going to do a new thing. Do you not perceive it?”

Last year when I accepted the Nancy Bayless award for my first book, “Faithbook of Jesus” the verse from Isaiah 43:19 was inscribed on the plaque. I cried inwardly as I accepted the award because days/weeks before one of my book contracts had just been canceled, but not before I had heard the words “I am going to do a new thing.”

Friends, let us never be afraid of the journey. Of new things. New places and new people. Let’s be confident in this one thing that it is He who makes us lie down in green places. It is in the valley of vision when we come to know the Savior, Healer, Friend. And even more so the Author, Himself.

Today—let’s not walk in the flesh. It’s not whom you know, but Who knows you. Instead of saying “I know Him” may it be said of you, “He knows and delights in me.”

It’s not who you know.