This week I finally achieved something that I’ve been striving towards for a long time. I finished a book that I’ve been writing. ✍🏻 In recent weeks it’s been my excuse. I can’t focus on that right now or I can’t start that project right now …. I’m determined to finish my book. A book I thought I was being led to write. I finished it two days ago. The celebration was very brief. I looked at it and went through it and I was just not elated or happy with it. I was so confused. I prayed. I waited. I listened and this morning God answered. Was this really God telling me not to release it or was it some sort of fear on my end? I got the answer! “Mel, now that we’ve got your excuse out of the way… You are not going to release it. “ Me: “What???” God: “Now, we are going to take that and utilize the skills I’ve given you and you are going to transform it into an experience. I didn’t create you only to write. I created you to be creative and stand out as you fascinate people with how you up-level something mundane as “just another book” to an experience that has the ability to attract & transform into something that can be savored.” Me: So, I’m not finished with this yet? God: No. Not yet. Remember how that segment in that show you were watching the other evening about integrity. How it was even expected from candidates in how they performed their exercises? How you were totally shook by how a candidate was totally called out on his sit-ups and the way he climbed stairs? As not having integrity and getting completely chastised for it? Then you saw how his lack of integrity also kept him from reporting an injury which nearly drowned him in the 500 yard swim? You are headed in not just for the 500 yard swim in the pool - but the equivalent of a rescue swimmer in the unpredictable environment of an ocean. So, I’m calling you out on your integrity in this. The book is your content for something bigger. At first, I was disappointed - I’m very sick of this book to be honest. But that quickly transformed into excitement because I’m getting to transform the book into something that truly lights me up and I know I’ve been created for. God gave me an amazing download of what this is going to look like. I’m totally re-energized on this project now! I am so excited!

There’s a moment in every journey when resistance shows up. It could be external—opposition, setbacks, unexpected obstacles—or internal—fear, doubt, the weight of past failures. It’s that point where many give up, convinced that the obstacles in front of them mean they should turn back. But what if the resistance you’re feeling is actually confirmation that you’re on the right path? I’ve learned that the greatest breakthroughs often come after we face the most resistance. It’s in those moments that we’re given a choice: will we stop, give in to the pressure, and let the resistance win? Or will we press on, even when it feels like everything is pushing against us? Paul writes in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” He knew what it was to face opposition, but he kept moving forward because his vision of the goal was greater than the obstacles in front of him. Resistance doesn’t mean you’re off track; sometimes, it’s the very thing that sharpens your resolve and strengthens your faith. So, if you’re feeling resistance right now, press on. You’re closer than you think. Reflection: What resistance are you facing today? What’s one step you can take to press forward despite it? Remember, resistance is not your cue to stop; it’s your invitation to keep going.

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you feel stuck, but the idea of stepping out into the unknown terrifies you? I had one of those moments today, an emotional trigger that took me to a deeper place in prayer. As I sat with it, I saw the Israelites leaving Egypt. I imagined them standing at the edge of the Red Sea, fear gripping them as they faced an impossible situation—water on one side and an army chasing them on the other. But then, the sea split, and they had a choice to make. Would they step into the unknown, even with fear in their hearts, or would they stay trapped in the familiar, even if it meant slavery? It’s easy to cling to what we know, even when it’s not good for us. But then, in the stillness, I heard the Father whisper: “Is your desire for freedom greater than your fear of the unknown?” That question hit me hard. How often do we let the fear of what might happen keep us from stepping into the freedom God has already prepared for us? I want to ask you that same question today. Where are you allowing fear to hold you back? What freedom is just on the other side of that first step of faith? You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to trust that dry ground will appear, even if the waters seem insurmountable. So, is your desire for freedom greater than your fear of the unknown? What will you choose today? Reflection: Take a moment to think about the areas of your life where you feel called to move forward, but fear is holding you back. What’s one step you can take toward freedom today?

Was just reminded of this first worksheet in the Courageous Calling Course this morning when @Justin Yip asked about Purpose in another Community. Absolutely adore how @Angela Linville has helped me make my purpose plain in my mind and to understand the difference between Purpose & Calling!! If you haven’t worked your way through this Course yet, what are you waiting for?? Get on it!!