Christian Retailing magazine (August 2011) reported on the opening session at this summer's ICRS in Atlanta. Quoting popular author and researcher George Barna (Tyndale House), he said: "We are entering a new golden era for books. We are not seeing the death of books; we are seeing the renaisance, the redefinition and the expansion of books."
Although technology and cultural shifts are dramatically redefining traditional publishing as we've known it for the past 25 years; most retailing practices have had to change; and authors and readers are doing things differently; that can point to new exciting times ahead. "All new things are born in the midst of chaos," Barna said.
If you are feeling displaced in the new era of e-books, agents, marketing decisions over editorial decisions, and making videos and peer analysis/ endorsements part of your marketing/media package, don't turn and run threatening to get out of this industry that you love. Instead, adjust!
Find the new place where you fit, where you have a way to address the "felt needs" of the audience that God has given you a message for. Find the place that God has appointed for you.
This weekend our church had the privilege of hearing messages from John Paul Jackson. (Listen to the audio online at the Island Church website: http://www.islandchurch.org/.) Don't Miss: "God's Timelines for Us." It will give your life new meaning as your digest the truth that God predetermined the times set for you -- and precisely the dates you would live (Acts 17:26). And no one in history can do what you can do. You are here at this time and in the exact place that He chose for you: "For such a time as this."
This gives a whole new meaning to "I must be about my Father's business." And it brings into a much more serious focus the prayer, "God, what do I need to do to serve your purposes that you selected I should do?"
God spared you. God protected you. God provided for you. You haven't missed God's timeline. Believe that God has a purpose for you, right now.
One more thing to think about: "Treat those you meet with respect and dignity no matter how insignificant they may seem. You never know how God will use them to help you or haunt you, depending upon your response to them" (1 Samuel 39:11-15 Life Application Bible Note).
