I’ve started work on a new series and I’m so excited for this new chapter(literally) and have enjoyed watching it take shape. I am still going to finish my first fairytale series and am excited to see how that ends too as I finish up the third book and start looking toward the fourth and final book in that series. But, God has placed another set of stories on my heart that I’m looking forward to exploring and deepening my own faith and walk with God through. This new series is quite a huge step difference in genre from my first series. It is set in modern day and will include some mystery and seeking out treasures from the past that point to God’s existence. One of the things I’m most excited about is the underlying storyline I’m hoping to portray, at least in the first book, which I’m already quite a ways through in writing the first draft! And as a fun fact, my last post on the alabaster jar ties into this new series as well.
The character gets caught up in finding tangible proof of God’s existence and finding artifacts or links to stories and events in the Bible to show the world that these stories are true. As good of a goal that is, she loses sight of what truly matters. She is thrust into this journey that shows her the Heart of God is not some ancient artifact that she has to find to prove His existence, but rather the living proof of His existence within her own heart. Her belief in Him in the throws of some of the darkest circumstances she will ever face and His power in her are far greater proof to the world of who He is than anything she could ever find in the depths of the earth.
This story makes me think back to so many characters in the Bible, who though strong pillars of faith, had their own moments of misplaced focus in doing God’s will. Moses took it upon himself to listen to all of the disputes of the Israelites after they were delivered from Egypt and lost focus on the true purpose God had given him. Saul was anointed by God to be the first king of Israel but he quickly became consumed with pleasing the people rather than God and keeping his crown from David. David succumbed to the pressures of being king and gave into thoughts and desires he shouldn’t have on more than one occasion because his focus shifted from God’s heart to his own selfish desires. The Pharisees in Jesus time who were supposed to be the highest spiritual leaders to God’s chosen people became so focused on the law and even far overextending the law, that they lost sight of the true heart of the law and missed seeing Jesus for who He truly was because He challenged their own authority and control over the people.
We can have the best intentions in mind when we do things and even be doing God’s work, but if our heart focus shifts just a little bit, it can quickly become about our work and effort instead of God’s. We can lose sight of our family or those God has placed in our lives to shepherd or help. It can become about the accolades and prestige that comes with doing a good work in the world. Satan can reach our hearts even in the midst of doing good and we have to be careful and watchful that he doesn’t shift our focus just enough to set us off course of doing God’s will.
My hope as I write this new series, is to bring stories to life that we as believers in this modern day world can relate to and hopefully find strength from as well as always with my books, to point the world to Christ. I am far from perfect and struggle with many things and often feel the pelts of Satan’s attacks as I pen these stories and I pray my focus continues to be drawn back to God in the midst of these moments and that ultimately His story is told through me and not my story for the world to see. I’m very excited for this new series and can’t wait to start sharing more about them in the coming months!
Ashley Beach-Author and Storyteller 