Not Returning Void

I have noticed a lot of posts from friends lately about being discouraged. They are busy doing all that God would have them do, and it all seems for naught.  I battle this dismay myself on a regular basis. At the abortion mill where I volunteer as a sidewalk counselor for life, 90% of the women ( or more!) ignore us. We are there for the 10% who don't. Sometimes no one responds to our pleas. We speak God's word of hope and healing and salvation, knowing He tells us His word never returns void. But knowing and feeling are not always in synch.

Sometimes, it doesn't feel like we are doing anything worthwhile, making any progress, bearing any fruit. Sometimes, it feels like we are lost in the void.

One of my books which is quirky and tough to market never seemed to gain traction. It was the one I labored the hardest over, and yet has the fewest sales. I am confident it is a good book. I felt it had an important message that at the core, was one of faith. I was certain God had called me to write it, and I am glad I did. But it would have been nice if it would have been more successful.

Yesterday, I got a phone call. A publicist and editor, well connected in the world my book explores, wants to help me. She is a marketing expert. She gave me several suggestions, and is setting up a major book signing in a major venue. For no reason except she liked the book and liked its message. None of this may ultimately come to pass. So often, the exciting plans that seem to be forming fall short, but it all was very encouraging and completely unexpected. When we feel we labor in vain, if we are laboring for God, it is so important to remember His promise: His word will not return void.

Speak His truth. Then be still, and wait upon Him. As the snow comes down from heaven and does not return there without first watering the earth, making the ground fertile and ripe for the seeds, so God's word will ultimately bear fruit. But sometimes you have to wait for the winter to come to an end and the snow to melt to see the sprouts just beginning to poke out of the hard ground.

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Isaiah 55: 10-11
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.