I'm Taking a Risk!
I've never done anything quite like this before. Let's see how this works.
I’ve been very quiet on social media the last several weeks. Partly because of my church’s “digital detox” emphasis during Lent, but also because I’ve been working on a project. God got my attention when I read “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, a 300-year-old Christian classic.
The problem is, very few people have read that book and even fewer have allowed the idea of being present with God to make a difference in how they should live. So, I’ve been quietly developing a simple plan we all can use to make us more aware of God’s presence in the seemingly mundane activities of life.
The result of all this is a devotional book called “In the Presence… 31 Days of Experiencing God in All You Do.”
Here’s my problem: I’ve been sitting on it or a while, not because the ideas aren’t ready or because I don’t believe in the message. The real reason is because the barrier between me and a published book feels insurmountable. The excuses are many: I want it to be perfect first, the tone or wording isn’t quite right, the layout doesn’t look good enough….
This desire for perfection has been a comforting and uncomfortable experience. I know, though, that this was stopping me from sharing something that might actually bless someone right now, not when I got over my hang-up.
I am, therefore, starting now, to do something risky and radical: I’m publishing early and publishing… ugly.
What That Means
Every weekday, I will be posting a draft devotional from “In the Presence…” They won’t be polished, perfect, or publishable, but at least they will be out in the open where someone who needs them can find them. Each one will carry the message that God is with us, right now, wherever we are.
This is my way of getting past the publishing barrier, staying accountable to finish what I started, and inviting you into the process with me.
If something you read succeeds in the goal of helping you feel God’s presence, then please leave a comment after the article. If you find something that doesn’t flow or make sense, tell me. I need all the help I can get.
What You Can Expect
For the next several weeks, I’ll be publishing five devotionals a week, Monday through Friday. Each one will include:
A short Scripture passage
A reflection
A brief, practical exercise to help you apply the concept
An “As You Go Prayer” which is brief prayer/affirmation to repeat to yourself throughout the day. I am trying out what I call a “breath prayer.” For example, the “As You Go Prayer” for the devotion on Psalm 46:10 is: [Inhale] “Be still and know…” [Exhale] “that You are God.”
A journaling prompt- completely optional, but at least it will give you something to think about.
A “Send Off Blessing”- my prayer of blessing and affirmation to you for that day
The goal is not to have a lot of people just read these devotions. That would be great, but the real goal is to invite you to practice awareness of God’s constant presence in real life.
Later, It Will Become a Book
Once the full 31 days of devotions is complete I will use your feedback to finish the book. At that time I will be obligated by my publishing agreement to take down the daily postings. I will, however, give everyone who helped me an opportunity to get a free copy of the ebook on Amazon Kindle as my way of saying thank you for your help.
On Monday April 28th, I will post the first devotion: “You are on Holy Ground (Shoes Optional) from Exodus 3:5.
If you know of someone who could benefit from knowing that God is present with them, feel free to invite them to participate. I really do need all the help I can get.
With grace, thankfulness, and a healthy dose of trepidation,
J. Brent Eaton
Writer. Explorer of sacred spaces. Imperfect but present.
