When I was young, I never worried about being a Christian. I grew up in a broadly faithful city where belief was common and faith wasn’t controversial. I was proud of mine.

A year ago when I felt called to write this devotional, my hesitation had nothing to do with reputation and everything to do with worthiness. Who would want to hear from me?

Now, coming up on a year, the fear has shifted. My fear is no longer about whether I’m capable but about whether I’m foolish. Will someone decide not to work with me, quietly step back from my friendship, or misunderstand my intention because I’m open about my faith?

There’s a lot of uncomfortable pressure around religion right now and I feel it as a writer. We all feel it. Leaders who called themselves Christian have done real harm; the headlines are loud and the exposure is bright. I understand the skepticism.

Recently I heard Ryan Leak speak. He shared that other creators ask him how he gets away with talking about God. They ask him: Aren’t you afraid corporate America will cancel you? His answer was simple: “Who is the CEO of the Ryan Leak Company? God. And if I don’t talk about Him, I’ll get fired. That’s how this works.”

His candidness made me laugh… and then cry… and then it made my path straight.

So here I am. Re-convinced this devotional is what I’m called to. This devotional is not a business strategy, I don’t monetize it, and it’s not a funnel. It’s a small offering of imperfect words I feel entrusted with each week.

I might switch up a few things — if you like it, will you tell me? Encouragement spreads the same way discouragement does, person to person. It takes a little guts to ask for your help.

Thanks for sticking with me for an entire year. ❤ I’m deeply humbled each week by your readership.

Emily

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