The Blessing of the Book I Never Intended to Write

by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest

God in the Dark, the little devotional book I wrote, comes out on April 3^rd and its launch team has been meeting together on social media for about six weeks already. I had no idea what to expect in launching a book, and I am in awe.

As if a door cracked open just ever so much, I have glimpsed how the Lord has begun using the book in the hearts of those who read it. Like I said, I am in awe.

If you remember the story, I never planned on publishing this book. They were letters to a friend. The words in those letters had done their job, at least in my mind. Ha. I laugh. The words in the book are the not the answers people seek. No. The words in the book, I hope, will point the way to that sometimes elusive light when the way seems overwhelmed with darkness. Even more than that, my prayer is that they will see the Father who stands faithfully by their side.

I asked the team to underline passages in the book that resonate with them. We’ve only read through the first week, but it has been a good week thus far. I thought I’d share some of those passages with you today.

When there is pain—the kind that lingers or resurfaces—we can feel frustrated at ourselves, or even at God. We may think that if our faith were stronger, or our love for the Lord held a tighter grip on our hearts, then the pain would be gone, should be gone. But is that really what God tells us? What do we do when pain won’t leave us alone?

And then as we feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of our lives, and when all we can see is darkness, hope seems to vanish. But that is an illusion. Hope remains.

The book left the warehouse on Monday for retailers and distribution centers around the world. This is surreal indeed. Even before the release date of April 3rd, books will likely be on shelves and in mailboxes.

Would you join me in praying for each book sent out?

There are hearts suffocating, drowning in the dark waters of depression, grief, pain, and all sorts of chaos… and they need the Light of Hope. My prayer is that the words in the book will lead their hearts to the giver of Life. Many already know him by name, but they can’t seem to find him in their despair. May this book be a light for the way home.

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The blessing of the book I never intended to write - @SarahVanDiest on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Educated as a teacher, Sarah taught school for nearly 20 years. As a young woman, she lived in China amid the rice paddies and water buffalo near Changsha, and then later taught English in Costa Rica for four years and raised her two sons. 

Sarah is married for the second time, the mother of 2 boys and the step-mother to 3 more. She and her husband, David, work together in their agency The Van Diest Literary Agency. Her full name is Sarah Ruth Gerke Van Diest. She’s 5’5” and cuts her hair when stress overtakes her. 

She is a freelance editor (including a New York Times and USA Today bestseller), blogger (The Write Conversation) and writer for hire. Her first book releases with NavPress in 2018. 

http://christianliteraryagency.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.gerkevandiest

https://twitter.com/SarahVanDiest