Could This Be The Year You Follow Your Dreams?

Has God put a dream in your heart, but you’re either scared to go for it or not sure if you have what it takes to accomplish it – or both? Me too. I’m going to tell you a story and then I’ll let you know why I’m telling you.

Many years ago, I had this dream of being a Christian “speaker”. I had never been a speaker before and although I had listened to messages from other speakers, I honestly was not entirely sure what that calling entailed, much less how to get started. But God laid that dream so heavily on my heart that I finally took a leap of faith and started pursuing it.

But it was a lonely journey at times.

I resigned from my full time job and went from working in an office of 500 people to working in a home office of one. As I diligently focused on getting my speaking ministry off the ground, God miraculously opened many doors to speak at local church women’s events, and in less than a year I had joined the Proverbs 31 Ministries Speaker Team. Finally, I had a team of amazing women to do ministry with and I didn’t feel quite so alone. Women that “got me” and the calling in my heart, and their support and camaraderie made all the difference in the world.

Then God prompted me to start writing … but I considered myself a speaker, not a writer? However, as I began to put words and thoughts to paper in writing out the stories God had been orchestrating over my lifetime, and writing devotions for Encouragement for Today, it began to feel more natural. And I loved it.

But again – it felt a little bit lonely. Hours and hours at a computer writing words alone in your house is very isolating and can take a toll on your mental tenacity after a while.  In fact, I started thinking maybe I had misinterpreted this dream of writing, and almost gave up completely, especially after years of rejection letters from publishers.

But then COMPEL Training was founded at Proverbs 31. It gave me a community of writers to interact with, plus a wealth of information and teachings to help me improve and learn about the craft of writing and the publishing industry as a whole. All of which encouraged me to keep pursuing my writing dreams despite how impossible they seemed at the time.

Then several years and four book contracts later, something else happened. Last year on January 19th, the exact day of my birthday, I got a job offer to work at COMPEL and I am now the COMPEL Director.  I love how God works! I mean seriously, a birthday present from Jesus?! 🙂

So needless to say, I’m a huge fan of COMPEL Training! It is has encouraged and equipped me to follow my dreams along with thousands of others, and now I get to enjoy encouraging and equipping others to do the same.

Might this be the year you decide to invest in your calling and determine to follow your dreams? Plus once you join, you can take advantage of a goal setting session which will help get all your dreams and goals organized on paper, as well as provide you with several ‘Follow Your Dreams’ worksheets and activities to keep you on track and motivated.

COMPEL is currently having open registration through January 31st, and registration is only open several times a year for limited periods.

COMPEL Training is specifically geared to help people follow their dream to write, no matter what they feel called to write about or what their ministry dreams are. Whether you’re a blogger or want to create a blog, an aspiring author or speaker, an established author or speaker, enjoy writing articles for your church newsletter, want to become a freelance writer for magazines or just improve your writing, want to know how to write your life story so you can share your message at your church or in your small group, write for a church newsletter, or even if you long to get a book published, COMPEL has hundreds of teachings to help you pursue your dreams.

In addition, we have an amazing Community Forum where friendships blossom and hundreds of people are involved in online community groups … so you will never feel like you’re going at it alone again!

CLICK HERE to learn more information about COMPEL Training and how you can become a member today!

 

 

10 Comments

  1. Kate Semer on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 8:38 am

    This isn’t nearly as impressive as some callings, but last year at age 60 I purchased and learned to ride a motorcycle which I love doing. But, I am on a few women’s facebook pages and it is surprising how many times I am able to give encouragement to others, to speak about Jesus and his love for me, the protection I feel riding and that I pray before we ride. I think it is planting a seed for others that He wants me to do.



    • Tracie on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Everyone’s dream is different and everyone’s mission fields are different too Kate! I love how God is using you to spread His name while doing something you love. Thanks for sharing!



  2. Andria on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Oh how I wish there was training like this for accomplishing any dream/calling you feel led to do. While mine isn’t writing, how I would love to be encouraged in starting a women’s mentoring program. Maybe another arm of COMPEL. 🙂



    • Donna on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      Find silmilar organizations like what you are led to lead, and develop a bond with them; along with prayer – God will open those doors !



  3. Danielle Lampman on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Twelve years I had a dream that I still believe with all my heart was given to me by God. I was a fairly new believer at the time. In my dream I was speaking in front of hundreds of thousands of people. I awoke not able to breath, as if I was grasping for my last breath. I had just overcome what my doctors called a social anxiety disorder, I hadn’t left the house for almost a year, my neighbours began to wonder if my husband was a widow. I remember waking and sitting straight up in my bed laughing like Sarah, Abraham’s wife when she found out she’d give birth to a son in her old age.
    God was that from you? I know anything is possible with God and decided to pray and ask the Lord if that is true, that you wanted me to be a voice for you, only you could make that happen. At the time I had such great fear of even answering the door to sign for a parcel, I could barely get a sentence out without stuttering, my nephew deemed me socially awkward, and was right. Only God could make this happen. Now, almost twelve years later no one would believe that I am that same woman, hiding in fear of the world. The Lord can do more then we can ask or think and He has a plan for your life and mine and will see it through to completion.
    I still anxiously await to see how He plans to accomplish this dream but trust that He will in His timing. In the meantime I’ve taken what I believe to be obedient steps towards that dream. I signed up for Compel in the Fall of 2017 and am using the tools provided to strengthen my craft. Just this morning I felt the Lord confirming once again that dream and that I was on the right path in accomplishing that, He has went before me and is leading the way. I have been so blessed by your blog and the Compel training!



    • Tracie on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 10:47 am

      Thank you for sharing your story Danielle! Im so glad you’re a COMPEL member and we look forward to celebrating with you in all that God does in your life this year and in the years to come!



  4. Elizabeth Jose on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 9:09 am

    Thanks Tracie.you r right everyobe’s dream and mission field is different. Last Jan 2017 i seriously began to believe God had a plan to help me emigrate to Canada from India.I thought this was a desire God had put in my heart.I took steps to pursue it in April,paid money to a visa consultant n so on..the truth is Canada does not accept any emigrant over age 48 yrs in fact 45yrs is a cut off for most programs.bt the program i applied to Atlantic Pilot program allowed people upto age 55yrs to apply.i was 54 yrs last April.no doors opened,not one.Canada keeps updating their programs but the age barrier remains.Was that desire put in my heart by God Himself?Now i dont know anymore.Still everytime I read the word ‘Canada’ online i feel a tug in my heart (cant say i feel a tug in my spirit, and the heart is deceitful above all things the Word says)!I still dream of living in that land.meanwhile a very young Christian woman I know has emigrated last Nov n is in touch wth me.Last Dec 31st night at our service,I surrendered this desire to the Lord.what do u think Tracie?



  5. Christie on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 9:31 am

    You probably won’t believe this. You had told me once before that the Compell wouldn’t be something I would be interested in. My dream was always to be a teacher, which I am although no longer in my own classroom. I have always been a writer and dreamed of publishing a book of my own. I have a number of books I have bought to help you learn how to write and possibly get published Not a book like those of yours but more likely addressing children or younger adults. A dream that God has put on my heart but one I have yet to follow. Life has hit me in different ways. That being I am now staying at home, alone most of the time. I do have the time to think, read, pray and write but have not completely gone in that direction. I do still think about this at times As of right now I plan to focus this year on reading the Bible While doing that I hope God speaks to me directing me in ways I can go through writing, texting, possibly “blogging” with others, I know there are things I can do since I now spend most of my time at home.
    I am, have always been a writer. I love writing That has always been my favorite topic to teach.
    J don’t know now where I can go with that. We will see. ????



    • Tracie on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at 10:46 am

      Well then you should follow your heart and go with it! Join COMPEL and you might really love it! i know it would be a great resource for you and an encouraging thing to help you start pursuing some of those things you want to do. I’m always here for questions if you need me!



  6. Laura Smith on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    Hi Tracie. What a blessing to read how God has so honored you and promoted you during a very difficult season in your life. I am reading your book, ” Your Life Still Counts” and grateful that you are willing to share your story with us. Such encouragement for those who struggle to believe God can’t possibly use us because of our past.
    I will never forget your courage as you spoke from your heart at She Speaks 2016. You looked fear in the face and allowed the Lord to use your brokenness to minister to His people. God is indeed a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Praising Him for your blessings!



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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