You don’t get to know the time

November 28, 2017 | 42 comments

A few months ago, I stood at a podium, looking out on an audience of Christian writers and bloggers. While speaking, I could see such eagerness in the women — wide eyes, pens poised, leaning forward. My view of the audience left me on the verge of tears. Why? Because I had been in their seats before.

What, they wondered, was the secret to getting a book published?

If I knew the secret sauce, I swear I would have given it to every one of them. I looked out on these women and imagined the books that sat inside of their hearts and journals. Books about how they’d survived divorce, repeated miscarriages, the battle with cancer. Books about great adventures, shenanigans, doors closed, doors opened, embarrassing moments, clever stories.

But all of those books were unpublished. Why? Because the writers couldn’t figure out how to convince a publisher to offer them a contract. In some cases, the writers’ platforms were deemed too small. (Translation: these writers didn’t have enough influence or followers to attract a publisher. Publishing houses are businesses, and while they do take chances on small-platform writers, that doesn’t always happen. Publishers understandably want some certainty that a writer’s idea will translate into actual sales.)

Long ago, I was the girl in the audience. A couple years after I started this blog, the Holy Spirit nudged me to write a book. I had an idea for that book. I had writing experience. But for three years straight, I faced one rejection after another. Over and over I heard: “You’re too small.” At night, I’d Google “how to publish a book,” and in the blue glow of the computer screen, the words came again: “You’re too small.”

But I couldn’t deny the call of God.

What do you do when the call God gave you, appears to be undercut by your platform, your experience, or your abilities? What do you do when the timing seems off, and all you can do is wait in the blue glow of your computer screen?

That day at the conference, I offered some encouragement for anyone who is asking those questions today, whether you’re a writer, an artist, a teacher, a mom, an entrepreneur, or a missionary. I hope my words encourage any of you who are waiting for your time.

I don’t, in fact, know the secret-sauce recipe for you to get what you want. I have something better: truth.

The Truth About Timing

The truth sits like an anchor in the first chapter of the Book of Acts. In the story, Jesus presents himself alive to followers. He offers instructions before he disappears to heaven. Put yourself in the story. Imagine yourself as one of these eager followers. Imagine how intently you would listen, hanging on every word and wanting to do exactly what the Savior asked you to do.

The one question these followers ask (Acts 1:6) is essentially this: “When?” When will Your plan come to pass, God?

Isn’t this the question we’re all asking? When, Lord, when?

When is it my time?

When will I get the “lucky break?”

When will I get the promotion?

When will God’s promises unfold?

When will my dream come true?

Jesus’ answer to his followers in Acts, is his answer to us today:

“You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses … even to the ends of the world” (Acts 1:7-8, The Message).

Then Jesus disappeared, and all of his followers stood around, looking at an empty sky, asking, “Now what?”

I imagine you understand the “now what” feeling of uncertainty, standing under your own empty sky. Believe me, I know what it feels like to wonder if God’s promises will unfold — or if I even heard him right. We all ask it: “When is it my turn?”

Jesus answers clearly: “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.”

This is what I know for sure. If God called you to this, he will walk you through this. His will. His way. His timing.

We don’t get to the know the time.

Maybe right now you’re feeling too small or insignificant. Listen up:

Your size doesn’t nullify your calling.

It actually doesn’t matter what the experts say, so long as God called you to this. Remember that early group of followers in the Book of Acts? There were only 120 in all. The “experts” would have said that there is no way that 120 people could accomplish the tasks that Jesus asked them to do — to carry his message to the ends of the earth. Imagine them sitting in the blue glow of their computer screens, Googling the question: “Is a platform of 120 people big enough for this task?” Google would have said they were way too small.

But the fact is, a little tribe of 120 would be the beginning of the most important movement in earth’s history.

God’s plan is unstoppable. His plan is bigger than your problem, bigger than your platform, bigger than your hang-ups, bigger than your “bad luck.” God is bigger than everything.

If God can take a group of 120 people, empower them with the Holy Spirit, and within a short time, grow them to 3,000 then thousands, and then millions … well, just imagine what he can do with you.

Don’t give up, friend.

“You don’t get to know the time,” but you do know the Keeper of the Clock.

His will. His way.

Don’t give up.

P.S. — I did end up getting published, in God’s time. “His Will. His Way.” I’ve written two books (The Happiness Dare and Love Idol). Stay tuned, because there’s more news on the way. 🙂

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by dukeslee | November 28, 2017 | 42 comments

42 Comments

Michele Morin on November 28, 2017 at 12:30 pm

“His Will. His Way” are four words that make me want to stay close to truth, to not settle for a short cut or to take some other way. Thanks for sharing your blue glow story, and I think we’re all excited about what your new news might be.
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- dukeslee on November 28, 2017 at 12:41 pm
  
  I don’t want to settle for shortcuts either, my friend. I think we’d miss out on the beautiful view of the longer, intended journey He often has for us.
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Mary on November 28, 2017 at 1:32 pm

Thank you for the reminder of His way, His will and His timing. God shows me this in my own life constantly. You are a treasure Jennifer!
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- dukeslee on November 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm
  
  Mary, I am so grateful for you. Thank you for your kindness. Just really trying to stay the course here. Trying to live what I preach: His will, His way, His timing.
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Mel on November 28, 2017 at 1:41 pm

Oh, friend. This means so much today. You nailed exactly where I am. I have wrestled for years with the smallness of myself and the sting of having two publishers tell me that very thing. “The writing’s good…the book title is awesome (it WAS really good!)…but you’re too small.”

But here’s the funny thing…God’s been telling me for over a year to write a different book about that very same thing. About the blessings that can come from choosing to obey His calling and live a smaller life that doesn’t often land me in the spotlight. I have no idea if two people will read it someday or 2 million, if I’ll self publish or if a publisher will take my words, or when it will even all happen…but I started writing yesterday afternoon with prayers and tears and lots of coffee. 😉

And then…I read your words today. I think God is using you even more to confirm what I need to do. Thank you. (And can I just say that finally hugging you in real life last month was an absolute gift? I wish we lived closer…I’d love to share a long chat over coffee.) Blessings!
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- dukeslee on November 28, 2017 at 1:59 pm
  
  Oh, girl. I feel such a tenderness for you right now. SUCH a tenderness. I can picture you with your tears and your prayers and your coffee … and your exquisite words. I wish I could set across from that table and cheer you on, my friend. His will. His way. His time. Love you.
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DeanneMoore on November 28, 2017 at 1:54 pm

I dropped a mite or two into the great big ocean of the Internet this morning with words on my blog… but when I think about a book and trying to accomplish that apart from God’s timing and will…well it would be impossible…until then (or maybe, never?), I’ll be handing out cold cups of water when I have them to give, when they flow through and out from the Well. I am thankful that I have watched from afar as you became an author. I have seen God lift you up in this time to speak truth and write words. You have and continue to be a blessing to me. May God continue to bless you in the days ahead…for His glory.
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- dukeslee on November 28, 2017 at 1:58 pm
  
  Oh friend. You are handing me a glass of cold water right now. Refreshing. Just right. I sit here some days and think, “Am I doing this right?” “Do these words matter?” “Do you want me somewhere else today?” But I feel like He keeps sending me back to this seat in the office, by this big window overlooking open Iowa sky, and I keep plunking down words, and hope by His will, he uses them in some way. Your encouragement today means a great deal to me. Thank you, friend.
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Richella Parham on November 28, 2017 at 2:31 pm

Your post is very timely for me, Jennifer. Thank you. I’m so grateful and glad that Love Idol was eventually accepted, because what a book! Thanks for constantly inspiring and encouraging others. Bless you!
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Debbie Putman on November 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm

Thank you for this truth and encouragement. My husband thinks I have a book to write, but I don’t know what. But I do feel called to write my little blog, so I keep plugging away.
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CM Hazelwood on November 28, 2017 at 2:49 pm

This post speaks to me as well. I’ve read some of the other comments, and amazed at God’s timing. I have been thinking about writing somehow, but what format? I do not think a blog would be right for me, but have not considered the possibilities.

I am a cancer survivor. The cancer is totally gone, “no evidence of cancer” in all the CT and even PET scans. However, I am left weakened by the treatments, and a permanent radiation scar in one lung which leaves me short of breath sometimes.

I keep thinking I “ought” to write about my experience and tell what amazing things God has done for me. Then I see all the other cancer survivor stories, and I think “I’m just one more.”

I have tried to work at a part-time job, but have been unable to keep consistent hours because of fatigue as well as the many follow-up doctor visits. I am realizing that this is a long-term journey. BUT GOD—– has sustained me throughout, and remarkable well.
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nylse on November 28, 2017 at 3:00 pm

This is what keeps me – His will, His Way. I don’t get or need to know the time, I just need to be obedient.
Thank you!
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Crystal Storms on November 28, 2017 at 3:41 pm

Love this encouragement, Jennifer: “You don’t get to know the time,” but you do know the Keeper of the Clock. Thank you for words that speak to my heart as I wait on His timing.
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Sarah Geringer on November 28, 2017 at 3:43 pm

This message of encouragement was one of my favorites at She Speaks 2017. I ordered both of your books on Black Friday, and can’t wait for them to arrive! Thank you for consistently offering encouragement to fellow writers, Jennifer.
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Lynn Morrissey on November 28, 2017 at 3:55 pm

Jennifer, every author needs to read this post, and frankly, anyone w/ any dream that God has implanted in her heart, which He will bring to fruition (because it is HIS idea)! I understand this angst only too well. God put a burden on my heart to write a book on prayer-journaling. I said yes, and sent out proposal after proposal. I attended CLASS, well-known author and speaker Florence Littauer’s training seminar, where in fact I met Lysa Ter Keurst, now prolific author and head of the conference where you spoke. Nobody knew her then. She was a wannabe as was I. We were both trying to build speaking platforms before the days of the Internet and blogs. Ten years after God planted that dream on my heart (it was not anything I particularly sought to write, but an idea I know He gave me, His words, His way, after much prayer), my book was finally published. However, it was a most circuitous route. First, He had me write two other books (about which I had no clue at that point), before He would publish my passion book. Then Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy through Written Prayer was rejected numerous times, including FIVE times by its very own publisher!! And then, this is the really astounding part: When the editor told me they had finally agreed to publish it, they were going to do so even though they didn’t think they could sell it!!! She said, “They decided to publish it anyway, Lynn, and that has never happened in our history!” Right, why on earth would it . .. . unless it was God! So yes, my book was His will (because it was indeed published even though its very publisher said they couldn’t sell it b/c I had–basically–no viable platform, and then Love Letters was published His way (a long round-about road to its publication–not what I had envisioned). Now, I face something similar. God has begun to lay a burden on my heart to write again, and frankly, it’s pretty discouraging. After a long hiatus from professional publishing, one agent “tolerates” me and answers my questions, but I can tell, he doesn’t think this is a real possibility. Another agent w/ whom I have a real contact told me that NONE of my other book publications even count now. In his opinion it is as if all that work and real publications are negated b/c too much time has lapsed. So I’m really prayerful about what to do. I just know God has given me the burden. Maybe God’s way will not be traditional publishing. There are other publication possibilities. I just know I want to obey, daunting as it is. Thank you for your encouragement, and maybe my comments about impossible publishing coming true with my 3 books, when editors/pubs back then told me nobody would publish a no-name author, will serve as some small inspiration for them to keep trying, keep obeying, and leave the results to God.
Love you, and can’t wait to read book # 3!!!
Lynn
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Barbara H. on November 28, 2017 at 4:24 pm

Thanks so much for this. I had wanted for years to write a book once my kids left the nest. Instead, we brought my mother-in-law home to live with us. It was the right thing to do, and I know that’s God ministry for me now, but I have to admit, honestly, I chafe at not getting to those writing dreams and wondering if they were just my dreams or God’s direction. And then the whole platform thing – I always thought it odd publishers wanted you to have a large platform BEFORE publishing your book. It seems like that would come after. But all I can do is trust the Lord’s will and timing. This post was very encouraging.
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- Nancy Ruegg on November 28, 2017 at 8:22 pm
  
  Barbara, your scenario is so similar to mine, though instead of caring for a mother-in-law, I’m helping our son and daughter-in-law with their two young children. (I think your task is more difficult than mine.) Getting published, even self-published, is on the back burner for now. Then there’s the whole marketing thing. Overwhelming. And I too wonder if I only thought God wanted me to write, but it was really just a personal dream. With you I press on, writing as I can (a once-a-week blog for one thing), trusting that God has a plan and purpose through the waiting and uncertainty. In his time, indeed!
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Lisanne on November 28, 2017 at 4:46 pm

Thank you. Thank you. I could go on and on and on about why; but, I feel you most likely already know. God bless you for this sharing.
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JeanneTakenaka on November 28, 2017 at 4:56 pm

Ahhhh, Jennifer. You’ve shared upon one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (and had to re-learn) on this writing journey. God’s timing is perfect. Always. Even when I don’t understand. I’m getting better about embracing this truth and remembering that God’s sees what’s down the road for me, and He knows the perfect answer to the question, “When?”

I love your words and deep encouragement here. Thank you.
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Anita on November 28, 2017 at 4:59 pm

Boy, did I need this reminder today! The pressures of work AND trying to build a platform seem overwhelming. The timing isn’t my problem or a monkey I should let ride around on my back. God has a plan. He’s called me–I just need to be faithful in the little steps I can make as I wait!
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Bev @ Walking Well With God on November 28, 2017 at 5:06 pm

Jennifer,
I loved sitting in that audience and you gave such hope to us little bloggers….that like David, God can do great things through little people if we are willing to make ourselves available. But, like you said, the timing is the Lord’s. We never know when or if, but we want to be about God’s business should He come to tap us on the shoulder and say, “You’re up kid.” 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
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Richella Parham on November 28, 2017 at 5:33 pm

Back to say “thank you” for hosting #tellHisstory! I’m delighted to be joining you this week.
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Beth on November 28, 2017 at 8:25 pm

Thanks for your wise and gracious advice and insight, Jennifer. It is very much appreciated by myself and I’m sure every other writer/blogger who joins you in this space.
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Nancy Ruegg on November 28, 2017 at 9:06 pm

“Your size doesn’t nullify your calling.” Thank you, Jennifer for the powerful reminder that Jesus started with 120 followers. (I had to smile since that’s the term we use for our blog readers!) Many of us do have our doubts about making it to the publishing finish line–even if we began in full faith of our calling. We start to second guess whether God was the One who ordained the writer-track for us or if we ran ahead of him. Thank you so much for your refreshing, heartfelt encouragement!
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Gayl Wright on November 28, 2017 at 9:16 pm

Yes, His will, His way. It’s always best and always just right.
Blessings to you, Jennifer!
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Leslie on November 28, 2017 at 9:21 pm

I was so blessed to be there, Jennifer! Your session was such an confirmation to me that day, and it is God’s timing that I’m reading about it again now. I’m writing the book you helped me believe in that day. 💜💜💜And I needed these words again because it seems too overwhelming for me. Once again, He is reassuring me that He will walk me through it. Thank you, Jennifer!
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Maree Dee on November 28, 2017 at 9:55 pm

What a blessing your post was. Feeling God wanting me to rest a bit this month and focus on my family but didn’t see how that was possible. I somehow forgot its all God’s plan.
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Shelly Miller on November 29, 2017 at 3:38 am

Yes and Amen! I love the way you are a source of constant love and encouragement for your readers. Your humility speaks. Thank you Jennifer, glad to have you in my corner. xx
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Susan on November 29, 2017 at 6:42 am

I’m from the old school and in the 90’s the rejection letters came – I didn’t have a “name” – following didn’t matter because, believe it or not, the Internet wasn’t a thing. But my name wasn’t Kay Arthur therefore – no risk would be taken! I longed to be published. The Lord and I sat on the couch one dark morning and I was telling Him all about it (as if He didn’t already know) and HE SAID TO ME. “Write it down. Make books. I’ll take care of the rest.” I self-published my first 365 devotional, A Pruned Branch, in late 2004. Now I have ten (or is it 11?) self-published books. I have an author’s page on Amazon. I blog. Because HE told me to. HIS WILL. HIS WAY. HIS TIMING. You are exactly right! Enjoying the pause…Sus’ xo
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- Rebecca on November 29, 2017 at 10:01 am
  
  Love your story Susan!
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  - Susan on November 29, 2017 at 11:22 am
    
    Becky, it’s the only story I have!!!
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Stacey Pardoe on November 29, 2017 at 8:03 am

I needed this today, Jennifer. I’ve been working for months to land a publishing contract (I think I even walked past you in a hallway at a conference in North Carolina where I was hoping God would open a door this summer!), but it seems the timing is not yet right. Your words about trusting Jesus in the timing and in all parts of this process are what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you for faithfully serving women on mission! I’m grateful for your compassionate heart, transparency, and kindness! These things radiate from you!
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JViola79 on November 29, 2017 at 8:38 am

Thank you for sharing this. I needed to read this and share it 🙂
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Rebecca on November 29, 2017 at 10:00 am

First of all, what a teaser you left us with! Can’t wait to hear the good things on the way!

Secondly, I love this. Every bit of this. I want to tape it to my computer screen, to my wall, to my heart. God rarely uses what man thinks is necessary. He loves small. That’s when there is no doubt that God showed up. This isn’t about us. This, all of it, has always been about Him. Amen!
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Rachel Lee on November 29, 2017 at 10:48 am

This is perfect! Every bit of it. Thank you. 🙂
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Gretchen on November 29, 2017 at 11:04 am

Jennifer, wow. Wasn’t expecting this this morning but it was what I needed. Brought me to tears. Through your words I was reminded that His calling is bigger than my lack of what the ministry world says I am in need of. It is easy to begin to think we are crazy for doing what we do, spending all the time and money on it. But you reminded me to be faithful, obedient to the call and leave the rest to Him. Thank you for your compassion for those of us who are where you once were. Many blessings my friend on your calling!
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Jerri Miller on November 29, 2017 at 3:15 pm

Oh my! Jennifer, you just gave a lot of us a big dose of hope! Love the idea that we don’t get to know the timing but we know the Keeper of the Clock. His timing is perfect. Thanks for the reminder! ~ Jerralea
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Lynn Mosher on November 29, 2017 at 9:07 pm

Awesome, Jennifer! Sooo needed this. Yes, tears. The Time Keeper knows all. Have been questioning my role. Still continuing to be obedient to God’s call. Just don’t understand it right now. Thanks for writing this, dear one. ❤
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Sherry Thecharmofhome on November 29, 2017 at 11:00 pm

Thanks for hosting!
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Ginger Harrington on November 30, 2017 at 1:52 pm

The struggle is real. I’ve been reflecting on this today on my blog. One thing I realize as my first book heads to copy edit, God has been writing the book into my life for the last 10 years. He started before I even dreamed or wanted to write a book. Though I often felt the heart-rending insecurity and discouragement in the wait, the wait was filled with growth, learning, and far more blessings than I can count. Thank you for this today:)
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Cathy Baker on December 1, 2017 at 1:08 pm

Jennifer, this post is encouraging in so many ways. I especially appreciate the reminder that “your size doesn’t nullify your calling.” Whew!
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danita jenae on June 19, 2018 at 8:42 pm

I BURST OUT LAUGHING when I read, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.” Because His timing proves sooooo good every single time! And yet, I always seem to think He’s late or I’m late. Yes! Yes! Yes! And the timing of me finding this post through Katie Reid’s post tonight… it’s just all gloriously, perfectly timed. This is His business! Pressure, off! Laughter… game on!
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