If you’ve been following my blog or newsletter, you know I’ve been planning to create audio books, starting with Astray. I was certain that was part of God’s plan.
We decided to go for it, hoping to make enough money from the first audio book to fund the next (or find patrons to help support the projects). I signed up on Findaway Voices and went through the casting process, narrowing it down to four narrators.
But there was a problem. None of the narrators fit my protagonist, Fallon. The narrator I liked best had an English accent. Personally, I wouldn’t have minded. But I knew my readers might prefer the narrator to have Fallon’s Southern Maine accent (not to be confused with a Downeast accent).
So, I polled my online writing buddies asking if they’d prefer the narrator have an accent that is true to the main character or if they’d be okay with a narrator with an English accent. The true accent preference won by a landslide.
I wasn’t sure what to do. So, I decided to wait until the readings came in. Hopefully something would work. Then I met up with my local writing group and shared the news.
Amanda’s eyes lit up and she said, “I’ve always wanted to do that!”
Before that, Pastor Yves encouraged the project, saying he always wanted to do voices (he does have a gift). He also happens to be the Pastor responsible for the Worship and Tech teams which means he has access to equipment.
But I was nervous. Working with friends might not be the best idea. What if it sounded terrible? Would I ruin a relationship by finding I didn’t like the results and going a different route?
We decided to have a test recording last week. And Oh. My. Word. God brought me incredible talent! They were both amazing. Far better than I could have imagined. What started as a test run became the Prologue through Chapter 2 done.
God is great at surprising me. So much so that I think it delights Him to do so.
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Why does is always surprise me that God knows what is best? That His plans are better and far exceed anything my mind could conceive? He is the ultimate planner with every resource under the sun available. No one can bring things together as He can. I knew Pastor Yves had skills. But I never would have guessed that Amanda possessed such talent. She’d never done any readings before–only God knew.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
I have my plans, but God frequently takes me in another direction.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
I love that God allows me to work with Him. I love even more that He promises to make my plans succeed if I commit them to Him.
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3
You’ll notice He doesn’t say that our plans will succeed in the way we expect. Only that they will succeed. And when our goal is to share Him with the world and bring honor and glory to Him, why wouldn’t He ensure our success?
I don’t need to worry or stress about these projects. God has it is His capable hands.
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
What about you? Has God called you to do something for Him? Are you still trying to figure out what that is? Because I guarantee He has a plan for you. Commit it to Him and it will succeed.
You are loved,
J F Rogers