Inspiration for When Your Dream is Too Big for You


This week, we have a special guest post from COMPEL Member, COMPEL Volunteer Community Group Leader and author Betsy de Cruz about what it means to follow your God-given dreams, even if it seems too big. Betsy de Cruz also writes and speaks to encourage busy, distracted women to take small steps to invite more of God’s presence into their lives and find creative ways to enjoy spending time with Him. Connect with Betsy at FaithSpillingOver.com. Read below for more from Betsy!

All my life I dreamed of writing a book, but I had two problems: I didn’t know the first thing about writing, and I had nothing earth-shaking to say. For years my dream stayed on the back burner, but this year I published my first book.

I may be a late bloomer, but my self-published book More of God did better than I expected on Amazon. The Lord who called me to write it, blessed it. I share this because I want you to know God can equip you to achieve your writing dreams, too.
Maybe you have a big dream, but you feel overwhelmed. How do you get from where you are to where you want to be?

I set my dream aside for years because I didn’t have a clue about how to fulfill it.

Until I joined COMPEL.

I started with two small steps: writing 15 minutes a day and listening to weekly a COMPEL teaching. Day by day, my writing skills grew. I started blogging, which gave me a weekly deadline, motivation to write and a small platform to share my writing with others. It was scary to put myself out there, but my COMPEL friends cheered me on.
Although my audience was small, I did my best to stay faithful to the ministry God had given me.

As I continued writing, God gave me a clear vision and message.
I realized my biggest passion was to experience God’s presence and hear His voice through His Word, but I struggled with distraction. (Sometimes when I try to have a quiet time, my eyes glaze over, and my brain goes to Hawaii.)

The Lord gave me a book idea: a quiet time guide for distracted women who want to enjoy more meaningful time with God. I wanted to encourage women like me to take small steps to experience more of God’s power and presence in their lives.

But I still had a problem: I didn’t know how to write a book.
Believe it or not, I listened to the teaching from COMPEL’s course (So You Want to Write a Book) and I did what it said. Step by step. It took me a year to write the book and God provided an editor.

Through my COMPEL community, I talked to others who had self-published, found a graphic designer for my book cover and even recruited a launch team. I had a small but highly committed team of 44 women, most of whom I’d met through COMPEL.

This spring, my book released, and I thank God for how He is using it.
I’ve received emails and social media messages from readers telling me how More of God is helping them grow a stronger relationship with God. Now I look back and rejoice to see how God enabled each step of my journey.

Friend, if you have a writing dream, I encourage you to do three things:
1. Remember the power of community: Don’t go it alone. Find other writers who can encourage you, pray for you and give you feedback. (For me, COMPEL was a great way to find my community.)
2. Hold this truth close: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10, NLT).
3. Stay faithful to your calling and follow God’s leading one step at a time.
If God has called you to a big dream, but you feel small, may I remind you the Lord delights in your small beginnings? Continue your journey step by step.

It’s time to reach your writing goals!
When you join COMPEL Training, you become part of a network of writers and get the support you need to reach your goals. Become a member today and get a month for free! Don’t wait – our BOGO offer ends April 19!

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Comments

  1. Oh, how I need to hear this story! I, too, have felt that God is calling me to write a book, but I have no idea where to start! I began a blog almost 2 years ago, and I joined Compel Training today! I know God led me here, and I know He will guide me every step of the way! Thanks for sharing your story!

  2. Charla Matthews: April 12, 2019 at 9:57 pm

    Oh, Betsy. Thank you for sharing your story. Zechariah 4:10 is a verse I recorded long ago in my prayer journal. I needed to read your sweet – and powerful – post today. I needed the reminder of God’s guide and His Word. Most of all, I needed the benefit of your obedience to let Him speak to me through you 🙂 I look forward to reading your book!

    • Betsy De Cruz: April 13, 2019 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, Charla! May the Lord empower you as you take your next steps. Let’s rejoice to see the work begin!