I was going to push this off until next year. At least that’s what I posted last week but, I had already begun to change my mind by the time I finished writing.
Push it off to next year? No. Not again.
What are we talking about here? It’s the dreaded email list, of course. Here’s what I wrote about it after recently taking a personal yearend inventory:
The scariest for me, believe it or not, is finally setting up the dreaded email list. This is something writers and bloggers are supposed to do. I think it’s in the blogger handbook somewhere. I just haven’t found it yet (the handbook, I mean). I dread this because of the tech involved, not being in better communication with readers. I keep telling myself that I couldn’t possibly do it on my own. You can I’m nervous because I’ve written the most about this. I have to get past this to do the next thing.
Fear Is a Liar Song by Zach Williams
The tech kept me pushing it farther and farther down on my list of things to do. The list of writerly things to do. If you want to be a writer and blogger, you must have an email list. You bloggers know what I’m talking about.
There’s a pressure building right from the start to get an email list up and running ASAP.
Then, I started to think about it differently, realizing I completed my full Master’s Degree online, and I had to learn new tech for work and school many times over the years. So, why would I allow an email list to block progress toward reaching, teaching, and serving as many readers as possible?
That’s what this blog is all about! Reaching, Teaching, and Serving readers. It’s what God has been putting on my heart these last nine months.
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jerimiah 29:11 (TLB)
It isn’t the technology. It’s my fear of failing to use the tech properly. My fear of failing to do what so many others are doing quite successfully. It doesn’t make sense. I made this email list thing so big that I couldn’t see over, under, or around it. Well, not today. It might not be perfect, but…
It’s finally DONE!
God kept making it more and more clear until, finally, I couldn’t think of a good reason to put it off any longer. I believe God releases His power when we obey His instructions. Why are we so stubborn?
Regular visitors will notice a pop-up sign-up form (I know they can be irritating), and there’s a second form you’ll find here and there inviting visitors to subscribe. I’ve even created a Thank You Gift for new subscribers. After a few years of kicking this can down the road of excuses, I think I managed to do “all the things” in just a few days, and still in 2020. It wasn’t super easy, but not impossible either.
Amazingly, now that it’s done, I’m feeling optimistically light like a burden has been lifted. I know it’s only an email list but, did it tell you that IT’S DONE! (Too much? Let me reel it back in.)
All I’m trying to say is don’t be afraid to try something new, do something different, or learn new technology, especially if you think God is leading you. And how do we know it’s God? If that idea hangs around for a while, tap, tap, tapping on your shoulder, it might just be God waiting on you to take action. Pray about it. Then do it.
Trust God to course-correct as you go.
Hey, maybe I should follow my own advice. Don’t let fear of the unknown imprison you. Trying something new keeps us awake and eager for results. I know I didn’t do it myself. But, now that I’ve gotten over this hurdle, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
What have you been putting off? Maybe you’re out of excuses, too. Go ahead, use that get out of jail free card.
Join me in saying goodbye to a very challenging 2020 to face the New Year fearlessly trusting God, together.
Happy New Year
Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear, he is a liar
