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Is your life settling into a bit more normalcy? Summer vacations are over, gardening projects have come to a halt, the kids are back in school, or your nest is empty. You finally have time to think longer with less distractions so you can stay the course and persevere on God’s path as you write, speak and lead.

But do you know what makes me lose any fragment of courage? This thought: What if they say yes? What if I really have to stand on that stage and speak to a large crowd?

Each year, Speak Up brings writers and speakers together, and each has a story to tell. Some of those stories are difficult. As a speaker and trauma therapist, who is also a trauma survivor, I am often asked three things by other survivors:

Sometimes it’s hard to discern God’s will, to figure out exactly what he wants us to do in each situation. We often function as if we have all the time in the world to obey him, but in the last two years, events have shown us that time waits for no one.

Everyone loves the quote: “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” It’s comforting, right? But who likes waiting? What, no hands up? I don’t like it either. But equipping takes time.

Did we really hear God correctly? We thought God wanted our “YES” on the table, but maybe He didn’t really mean it, because NOW we’re overwhelmed at the very thought. I have news: you heard Him right. God most certainly DOES want our “YES” on the table.

Six years ago, I found myself surrendering again.  I was obsessed with getting a book deal.  All I wanted to do was focus on me and my trade book, but God had other plans.  He began to place a burden in my heart for women just like me—Christian women communicators of color.  God birthed a mission inside my heart to increase and create opportunities for this community. 

When an event planner hears your name or receives a recommendation of you as a speaker, the first place he or she will look is online to find your website. When they arrive at your URL, greet that person with the all the information they need.

Building relationships is one of the most important steps to creating and cultivating the space for your career in speaking, teaching, or writing.

Whether you are a serious speaker, funny speaker, testimony speaker, recovery speaker, or a Bible study speaker, the goal is ALWAYS to lead people to God’s son. It is the reason we are Christian speakers.