A local Authors Festival drew me to the big library downtown. I went alone and felt every second of my choice to spend time with complete strangers in a public place. The phrase “risk for reward” propelled me room to room, like a trolling motor for a tiny skiff.

In the end, a few nuggets of wisdom landed near enough to grab. Also, the event validated the education I already received from other sources about the process of writing and publishing. The risk taken at least equaled the reward. I consider my attendance a success.

A library happens to be a spectacular place to host an event. The reason being, everywhere I looked I found shiny new things to read, watch, or listen to. Seriously, at one point I considered completely bailing on the event to go on a library shopping spree. Alas, I reigned in my itchy fingers except for one memoir. I grabbed it from the shelf before the final session so I could sit and read before it started instead of engaging with strangers. I checked it out as I left for the day.

As a child, I loved the library. My Mother began taking me in my preschool years. Weekly, piles of books were exchanged for different piles. I read every one, sometimes twice.

Life really gets between me and my library anymore. And, I had forsaken the downtown library for the smaller branch library nearby. I saw the error of my ways this weekend. Standing there surrounded by all I have been missing out on, I wondered how I could ever watch television again. There simply aren’t enough hours in my days.

That said, do you ever critically consider where all your time goes? I have dreams and goals, but all too often find myself binging Food Network with a bowl of popcorn in my lap. Life balance should always be considered, but I wield it like a weapon against my own self. And, library adventures could easily substitute for the Food Network in my life. Staying away from the downtown branch is probably a good thing for me.

God called me to write and now to speak.  What has He whispered to you? What desire did He place in your heart? Are you chasing it? Or, like me, are you letting other things take precedence over His plan?

As Christ-followers, we have a choice to make. We get to choose what we chase. How will we spend our days?

I’m reading What If It’s True by Charles Martin. He stopped me in my tracks with the quote below.

“Jesus came to give us life to the full, and yet most of us have accepted life to the least – life with boundaries set by our enemy. And we’ve resigned ourselves not to challenge him for fear that what he’s telling us might come true.”

Charles Martin

For so much of my life, I chose to aim at the closest target. I chased simplicity. The notion of challenge scared me. I let the enemy lie to me about my potential and my abilities. I still get distracted and don’t always make the best choices with my time, but it is time to start chasing God’s plan.

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 CSB