Write2Ignite

As authors, how do we draw the line between doing our very best work and leaving the results to God? In a world obsessed with numbers and achievements, how do we steward our gifts well, but also ensure that our motives of glorifying God are pure in the midst of accomplishment? These are questions that I struggle with constantly as an achiever who follows Christ.  

My new devotional, Sunday God Meets Monday Mom, launched a few months back, and I want to share a story with you. I thought that I would be sharing some great book launch tips with you that went something like this: “When I launched my first book, I knew nothing, and my numbers were x on release day, and now after four years of serving my ideal reader, my sales were x on release day. Hooray! Doing all the right things makes such a big difference!

”That isn’t the story I am going to tell.

I had a lofty goal in mind of how many books I wanted to sell by release day, and yes, I did everything “right.”

I created a launch team! (and eight lovely ladies joined).

I sent out emails to my list- serve, serve, serve, ask! (I got a measly number of clicks and opens).

I shared on social media! (and got a handful of likes, and some shares…by family members).

I stalked the Amazon best sellers rank to try to determine the number of preorder sales. (my rank was not stellar).

I was beginning to think that this launch was going to flop and three years of weekly email devotions was not going to make any difference. 

READ

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT). 

APPLY

One night, I was paralyzed by the book launch to-do list and stressed about reaching my goals. I knew I needed a motivation check, and I prayed, asking God to put this book into the hands of the moms who would discover Him in its pages, even if I never knew who they were or got any recognition for it. I asked Him to separate my ego from the book. He brought Ephesians 3:20 to mind.

Can I just tell you? God did something incredible in launch week, infinitely more than I could have ever asked or imagined. The preorder numbers started to show up in the data from my distributor. With each update I went from delighted, to shocked, to positive that there was some gross reporting error. The first day’s report surpassed my entire launch goal. The fourth day’s report doubled it. The report on the day before launch tripled it. I don’t know who bought the book, but those numbers had nothing to do with my brilliant launch strategy. It was all God. 

God obliterated my goal, and yet, I have a feeling my expectations are far short of what He still has planned. God isn’t interested in sales or numbers, He is interested in souls. When we share a message that brings Him glory, each person who holds a book is beginning a journey to know Him more! The number of copies out there is only the start of what He has in store for our meager offering. God’s message doesn’t require our hustle to get things done, it only requires our faithful obedience to follow what He places before us.

While I thought that numbers like those would make me swell with pride and accomplishment, the more the numbers increased, the smaller I felt myself shrink in God’s obvious display of His glory. I was literally humbled to tears by the experience.

We so often quote that verse in Ephesians while thinking about what God is going to do that is beyond our imagination, and we gloss over the beginning. It starts with “now all glory to God, through His mighty power at work within us.” All that He accomplishes through us is by His power, not ours, and it is for His glory, not ours.

So, my best advice for a successful book launch? Work hard, offer it with humility, and let God use it in whatever way He sees fit, whether for a few readers or for many. The message’s success is not in the numbers, but in our obedience to put it out there. He doesn’t require us to be strong or special or perfect. He just wants us to say “yes.” All glory to God! 

PRAY

Father, you deserve all glory and praise! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to obey you and have your mighty power at work within me, even in my weakness. Let my obedience be an offering with which you accomplish far more than I could ever imagine. 

REFLECT

How can I use my goals to give all glory to God today?

Erin last blogged for W2I here. She is an award-winning author of five books and mom to three girls who make every day an adventure. She loves working in the garden, and finds her best inspiration while digging in the dirt. Erin has worked in children’s ministry, missions, education in at-risk communities, and curriculum development. Erin is passionate about exploring the practical application of faith in everyday life. She uses writing to take Biblical ideas and present them in a way that is clear, creative, and captivating. Her published works include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and even a game! Read her weekly devotion series, Sunday God Meets Monday Mom, at https://eringreneaux.substack.com/ Find her books and projects at https://www.greneauxgardens.com Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/eringreneaux/ and https://www.facebook.com/greneauxgardens