Lessons Learned From 40 Years in the Wilderness

During the process of changing from a traditional publisher to being indie, I’ve learned countless lessons. Here are just a few of those. The complete list would be far longer than this.

 

• I can’t do this alone.
• Others have done this and are knowledgeable.
•  Form a great team.
•  Don’t be afraid.
•  Wait for the right timing.
•  Be patient.
• Trust God.

 

I’m reading my Bible chronologically right now. Genesis, Job, and Exodus are history (pun intended) and I’m now in Leviticus, and Numbers. We are using an NLT Chronological Life Application Study Bible. Normally, we do this with Tara-Leigh Cobble and her Bible Recap, but we wanted to read a different version on this fifth time through. The plain language of the NLT makes things very clear. They provide notes at the bottom of the pages that relate the verses back to us.

WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS

It’s rather fitting that I’m learning the self-publishing process while reading this section of my Bible. Some days I feel like the Hebrew children wandering in that wilderness. Many days I feel rebellion at the entire thought of trying to take on such a monumental task.

Yes, I grumble, complain, throw up my hands in surrender, but I also pray a lot. I have to as I’m old and this is all so new to me. Remember the old saying about old dogs and new tricks? Well, I’ve learned quite a few through this process. In the past eleven years since I first walked into this world of Christian writing, I’ve learned so many new things.

Here is one takeaway—you are never too old to do anything your heart desires, or that God has called you to.

Lessons Learned From 40 Years in the Wilderness @DDuPreeWilliams #writing #publishing #trustyourteam Share on X

LEARN FROM THE PAST

But . . . learn from the lessons of the Bible. Do all you can to make the task easier. Find good people to help you. Think Aaron and the Levites to whom Moses gave so many of the tasks relating to the Tabernacle. Listen to God on those days when you want to give up. On anything. It doesn’t have to be within the publishing industry. Whatever He’s called you to, do it with full faith in Him. Remember Philippians 1:6   And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (ESV).

Think how different those forty years wandering in the desert would have been for the Israelites if they had just followed God’s laws which set them apart from the pagan countries around them. They would have arrived at the Promised Land much sooner than those forty years. The older generation would have entered Canaan rather than dying in the wilderness.

This publishing process has been long for me. But without my team of helpers, I’d still be wandering through the wilderness of how-to videos and going to good old Google for every little thing. Without a doubt, God brought me to all these people. I’m thankful that I can see the finish line just around the bend.

Thank you for sticking with me, and for your prayers for the journey.

 

Blessings, y’all!

 

Just a lovely reminder of how the wandering Jews began their journey in the Wilderness with Moses in the lead. Please listen to the end.