The fact that many people are out there doing what you believe you should be doing should not stop you.
In one form or another, there is the possibility of those ideas running through your mind being in existence already. Yes, many have gone ahead with those plans of yours. While yours may still be at the planning stage, they might already be at the implementation stage.
For some, this fact can be intimidating, hindering them from overcoming inertia. They can’t just see how they will stand out in that ‘field’, which seems already flooded. They are asking, ‘How do you fish in already overfished water?’ You might not want to be seen as joining the bandwagon of a seemingly successful enterprise. Yes, you don’t want to sound and look ‘opportunistic’, but what if that path is where your conviction lies.
If there are people in that ‘line’ which to you might seem overpopulated already and yet still have the nudge in that direction, it is a signal of an existing vacancy. There is a need the ‘they’ are not meeting. There is this omission you are being commissioned for. All the others have not been able to address such well and you are needed promptly.
“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honourable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.” Luke 1:1-4 (NLT)
Luke refused to be intimidated by the many published (or should we say established) writings in circulation. It’s like, what will he write that has not been written? Sounds like, ‘What will I do as regards this that has not been done already?’
It’s interesting to note that even the many writers wrote about what was common knowledge (in their environment); their writings were not news nor special of sort. Why will you write about what people are aware of and still expect them to patronize your work? Why will you expend energy on what seems not needed and irrelevant? Many people did this anyway, and Luke went on to repeat what these many people were doing. It would have seemed like a wasted and lost effort.
However, Luke’s insistence in doing what many others were already doing paid off.
Firstly, his diligence and faithfulness in following through his conviction gave the world the most detailed Gospel account. His effort is still bearing fruit until tomorrow, centuries after he ventured into a crowded ‘industry’.
Secondly, he reached ‘his audience’, which others had not been able to reach effectively. Even if it was only Theophilus that patronized him, it was still a success story of impact and influence.
Do not hold back in launching out in that direction as long as you are convinced. With time, your sincerity, diligence and faithfulness will stand you out amidst the crowd and ‘your people’ will be eternally grateful you showed up, meeting their needs in that your unique way others couldn’t and wouldn’t.