As I complete my first draft and prepare to release the new book, “Make Room” (working title), I often reflect on how I have spoken with many people over the years, both in Singapore and now here in Australia, and how I sensed God calling me to start writing. I believe that this book is the first of many, and it has taken me literally 18 years of talking to reach this point finally. I can easily use theological truth as a crutch and say that God’s timing is perfect, and that now is the time He designed and desired for me to enter into this phase, finally. Yes, this would be true. There are certain seasons of both character formation and learning, whether formal or informal, that I would have otherwise missed out on. I would not have written from a deeply formed enough place.
That being said, let’s not deny the procrastination that took over and delayed me from getting to the place of writing. I am not writing to be an author, but to prayerfully put tools and learnings into the hands of those whom God has led me to come alongside. I know it may sound pretentious, but I write that I may serve.
Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you a few excuses that I had, which deterred me from writing, as I attempted to validate my procrastination, and what I did to overcome these excuses.
Excuse 1: The Trap of “UNLESS” – Start Where You Are
We’ve all been there. “I’ll start that business unless I get better equipment.” “I’ll write that book unless I find the perfect writing space.” “I’ll pursue that dream unless the timing improves.”
I learnt this lesson the hard way whilst teaching myself to DJ as a teenager. My mates had proper turntables, but all I could afford was a cheap plastic unit that wobbled if I breathed on it wrong. I could have waited for better gear and said, “Unless I have the proper gear, I won’t start DJing”, but instead, I chose to master what I had. By the time I could afford proper equipment, I’d already developed the skills to transition seamlessly.
I draw inspiration from the Bible, referring to this as the “F.I.S.T. principle”-Faithful in Small Things. Luke 16:10 reminds us that –
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.
Before you make another UNLESS excuse, ask yourself: “Have I been excellent with what I currently have?” Because chances are, that once you have proven yourself faithful with what is in your hand now, you will grow in capacity and character for whatever you are entrusted with next.
That side hustle you’ve sensed God giving you visions about getting off the ground? Start working on it with a pen and paper, jotting down a plan and then praying to God for it, while committing to regular work on it consistently. That ministry calling? Begin sharing your faith and your strengths with three people that God leads you to who are willing to listen. That creative project? Use the tools already in your hands and get to creating!
Your circumstances aren’t your ceiling – they’re your training ground. The question isn’t whether you have everything you need to finish; it’s whether you’ll be faithful with what you have to start. Let’s stop waiting for perfect conditions and start creating with the resources we have now.
Excellence with little prepares you for abundance with much.
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