41 Comments
User's avatar
J. Douglas Nolan's avatar

I love this Grant. I often use the garden analogy when talking with couples about their marriage. Quick fixes seldom work (if ever). Life is a garden that must be tended . Thanks for sharing

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Amen! It’s a great analogy for life in general.

Expand full comment
V.E. Lin's avatar

Phenomenal write as always, Grant. I really liked the gold miner analogy. It's true that we usually start with good intentions. When we write something we believe to be God-glorifying, we think to ourselves: wouldn't it be better for the content to reach as many as possible? But then we start get sidetracked, the means become the ends. However, in doing so, we risk reducing people to numbers and statistics. Even if our work only meaningfully impacts one other person, that one human soul in God's sight is infinitely valuable.

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

🔥🔥🔥

Expand full comment
Mary Gallagher's avatar

This constant tension between getting our words out there and building a platform vs. writing for that one reader can become exhausting. Your words are timely as I was just reminded of this article when a new reader saved it to his list. https://medium.com/koinonia/platform-living-is-not-sustainable-for-christian-writers-9a3ff49aa509?sk=0253a72e1bdc5b6090e05ae036a8ff35

Expand full comment
Alexander Childs's avatar

Hey man, I'm new to this platform, and I really believe that the Spirit gave me something beautiful in this post. Thank you for writing for other writers in such an encouraging way.

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God. What a great thing to hear! And welcome :)

Expand full comment
Yesenia Castillo's avatar

Sometimes, it's a long process. I live in the desert - the dry, sandy desert. We are working on regenerating our soil. It work and patience. Lots of patience.

Expand full comment
Danny Aglugub's avatar

Our Lord is with us here in this chat. Sometimes I feel like quitting, then Jesus puts me in touch with others who are in the same boat.

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God! So glad to hear that and glad you’re here, Danny.

Expand full comment
Wade Pan's avatar

This reads to me like a chat with a writer friend over a dinner table with a cup in my hand. Thank you Grant!

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

That’s high praise! Thank you, Wade.

Expand full comment
Johnson Tam-lit's avatar

The writer whose work impacts one person deeply can matter as much as the many is so endearing.

Challenging.

The digital space is an eternal space where your impact can be measured not in immediate drops of dopamine likes challenges me to start to write with eternity in mind.

Expand full comment
C.R.'s avatar

Jesus invested deeply in relationships, often speaking to individuals or small groups rather than optimizing for maximum reach.

His parables frequently illustrated how Kingdom growth happens—gradually, often invisibly at first, and through faithful presence rather than dramatic moments.

...thank you for the reminder. <3

Expand full comment
Dr. Lauren: Food & Inspo's avatar

I love this perspective and plan to adopt it moving forward

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

🙌🙌🙌

Expand full comment
Jana Carlson's avatar

YES! So well said! Viewing writing through the lens of stewardship has freed me from chasing "success".

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God! ❤️

Expand full comment
Jaffa_socials's avatar

Amazing 🤩

Expand full comment
Woven with Wounds's avatar

Needed this 🫶🏼

Expand full comment
Tracy Gerhardt Cooper's avatar

So good. And yes—writing and gardening have lots in common. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Obosa Imade's avatar

Very insightful and timely word. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
Rachael's avatar

I love this reminder! It's especially helpful as I start my Substack journey (and have already found myself getting caught up in the rush of producing vs. slow and faithful creating).

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

It’s easy to do, that’s for sure. Welcome, by the way!

Expand full comment
Rachael's avatar

Thank you :)

Expand full comment