When God Calls, He Equips!
Last year by this time, I had no idea I would be on my way to Ghana to launch my debut book, Parenting Apprenticeship: Nurturing Teenagers Through a New Lens. I had no book, and I certainly couldn’t see myself traveling to Ghana any time soon. But God could! And He had made it possible. Not only had he provided the means, He has also given me a reason to go; ‘our book launch’! Glory Hallelujah!!
Around April last year, I was asked to take my position full time in Kingdom Business sharing my story, my experience and knowledge; share my life basically. I was confused. Not that I did not know what this meant, but I was terrified of the financial implications. “How am I going to support myself and my children moving into Kingdom Business from scratch. Where is the money going to come from?” At this time, I was already in some debt and barely surviving financially. I had £0 savings.
Not to think of what people would say; my children, family, friends, people who cared and others who could care less. I was scared. I did not want to run away from God. I want to do it, but there are things pulling me towards different directions. The main one being finances. My spirit was saying yes, but my body was terrified, and my soul was in limbo. My children were as scared as I was because we were only finding our feet from having moved into our own rented apartment after living with my sister and her family for almost 2 years. It took me a while to gather the courage to tell my family after getting my head around it. Guess what? They were full of questions, and it was clear that they cared for me and they did not understand. I did not blame them.
One thing was sure for me, though, I have been through too much; I have seen too much to not oblige to my calling. So, in the midst of the confusion and uncertainty plaguing my body, I obeyed and responded to the call. I said, “God, my Father, and my Partner and my Friend, I obey and want to do this, but I please give me a sign.”
And He did give me a sign. He reminded me of my name, Eunice. I felt God speaking to me, He says, “Look, I named you Eunice for a reason, so that you will always be reminded that I have given you victory through Jesus Christ, My Son. So don’t be afraid, victory is already yours. And I have already equipped you.” What a sign! Eunice means victory, by the way.
“OK, God, I know I will be victorious, and you will make sure of it." Well, how about the bills?” was my next question. “I have provided for you; I have equipped you” was His answer. Immediately, the manuscript I was directed to put together some time in February dropped in my spirit. It looks like we are going to publish a book to bless people and also generate some financial support for the ministry.
So now I had a focus, an agenda, if you like. We are going to work on this manuscript and then find a publishing house to take it on. I started researching into the publishing industry. This was all new to me. I had no idea what I was doing. But after months of researching and submitting proposals and queries to agents and publishing houses, I realized that this was going to be tougher than I thought. God, you’ve asked me to do this, how come this is so tough?
I received rejection after rejection after rejection, but I kept on because God said my name is Eunice for a reason. I have victory already. Then one day I received a positive response from a publishing house. They were interested in my work. They liked it and said they’d be ‘honoured’ to publish it. However, I could not go along with them because the terms and conditions were not favorable. There was another a week later. Then nothing! I soon realized that my work is good for publication, that was a huge consolation that I felt God wanted me to know. He wanted me to know that my work is worthy for publication.
I went to God to communicate my thoughts and feelings to Him. “God what is this? No one knows me. I have not been to a writing school or a publishing school or literary school. There are giant authors out there, how could I compete? What am I supposed to do?”
God is a patient and faithful Father indeed! When you walk with Him and allow him to inform your journey, you will Win! Sometimes it may seem as though you are losing, but you will Win. He will make sure of it. When you are doing something that He has directed you to do, He will make sure you win because your glory is His glory and your shame is His shame. And the last time I checked God has, is and will always be in the glory business. Hallelujah!!
I called on God, who is my partner in this Kingdom Business. His Holy Spirit communicates to me through His Son Jesus Christ on the journey. “What are we going to do?” And so, after listening to my moan, He responded, “I know you! I know you! Remember, my servant, David. He did not go to military school or any army training of any kind. And yet he defeated the giant who those with military training and the king himself were terrified of. He then went on to lead armies and he was successful numerous times. Do you know why, because I knew him and I was with him.”
I knew God was up to something but I did not know what. I didn’t have to know. I knew He’d let me know when He thinks fit for me to know. I felt a lot hopeful. Because I trust God. I felt at peace and thankful in the situation. Through all the experience and whatever was going on, I was growing in patience and perseverance. I was also building resilience in another dimension. Remember, this area is very new to me.
A couple of months passed. No offers from agents or publishing houses. I decided that maybe I had to go into self publication because as far as I knew, the story has to get out there. So, I got in contact with someone for advice. This person was someone I believe God placed in my life exactly at the right time. He was a work coach or employment coach. After speaking to this person and telling him about my plans to self-publish, he happened to know someone who had retired from the publishing industry who he believed could advise me with self-publishing.
He was a lovely elderly man who was happy to give information. During the conversation, however, he dropped a line that changed everything. He said, “Have you tried Christian Publishers?” I had no idea that Christian Publishers were separate from mainstream. He went on to give me tons of information on self-publishing and proceeded to send me links. I was so grateful that I had had contact with such a beautiful human being who was delighted to share his knowledge. I call him a divine destiny helper!
As soon as I put the phone down, I grabbed my laptop and Googled Christian Publishers. I was led to Kingdom Publishers. I could sense God’s handwriting all over it. Immediately, I felt within my spirit that this was my publisher. I am into Kingdom Business, and now, here I was introduced to Kingdom Publishers. I called them and spoke to a lovely young lady who encouraged me to send through my manuscript. I did that, and within an hour, I had an email with a positive response. They wanted to be my publishers, and they were delighted. In fact, they did not have a book like mine. Glory Hallelujah! Indeed, You are a faithful God.
Several months down the line, and here we are with a book and a trip to Ghana. Isn’t that amazing! I had a launch in London, and now, I have been given the opportunity to launch in Ghana, too. Prior to this, I had not been to a book launch, but I get to host my own in style. We can trust Him to do what He says he’d do (Hebrews 10:23).
It’s been a year and half since I took my position into Kingdom Business full time, I still live in my apartment, and my children and I are warm and provided for. I enjoy so much peace and fulfillment that I have never known. I have learned to live on little and be content and peaceful and joyful. Psalm 37: 16 says, ‘A little that a man has is better than the riches of many wicked.”
I have learned to trust and lean on God to provide from day to day, month to month. There were months that I had been anxious not knowing whether or not we would be sustained because I am human. All I do is speak to my Father and He comes through. The point is, before I realized I needed it, He had already made provision.
At one point, God says to me that I am a lender and not a borrower. OK. I agree. But, "How come I am covered in debt?" I don’t like debt at all, no matter how little. I feel very uncomfortable when I am in debt. Everything I have been through on this journey is a learning process. Sometimes, God puts you through certain things so that you may help others. My debts are paid, and now, in my own small way, I am a lender. I am grateful and thankful and speechless. If I have ten thousand tongues, it still will not be enough’. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me and making me a blessing to others.
(What 3 things are you thankful for?)
I love you, God, my Father, my Friend, my Defender and my Partner!
Amen!
Eunice Essien
Author: Parenting Apprenticeship
21 Days of Thanksgiving
The Grace Movement
