You probably thought by this post’s title that I was going to talk about something completely different than what I’m actually going to touch on today. (Believe me, I debated that as I sat down to write. And just for the record, I didn’t wimp out. I’m not afraid to talk about my doctrinal beliefs, the biblical truths which I adamantly adhere to, or my unwavering faith in God’s son, Jesus Christ.)
If you’ve read many of my posts, then you know much of what I stand for. Just to recap: I believe Jesus is God’s son who came to this Earth as a baby and was born of a virgin. I believe He led a sinless life and died on the cruel cross at Calvary so that we could spend eternity with Him. I believe if we admit our sin and turn away from it, believe that Jesus died to save us from our sin, and if we confess our sin and commit our lives to Him, we are saved–forever. There. I said it. I make no apologies.
This may sound a bit corny to those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but I pray over each and every post I write. I sometimes anguish over my words and fret about how they might be perceived or misconstrued. I want to be an encourager to those who are perhaps struggling in their walk with Christ. I also want to be a positive influence for those who are about to throw in the towel on their writing journey.
Here’s what I believe about writing:
- If I can do it, you can, too. (No, I’m not just sayin’ it.) I wrote through crises and endured hardship. Our family lived in and out of hospitals for years. Sometimes, I had to take breaks from the craft/gift I loved so much. The Lord used this time as “seasoning.”
- You need to realize your potential. If God has planted the seed within you to write, pray over it, water it, feed it, nurture it. No one else is going to do this for you. It’s totally up to you. He’s in charge, but He’s granted you free will how to use His gift.
- Just say NO to naysayers. Don’t let others steal your joy, tell you it’s a “pipe dream”, or give you the idea that it can’t be done. Those are usually the same folks who sit on the fence and watch the world pass them by.
- If you truly want to write, obtain a great literary agent, and venture down the path to publishing, resolve that it won’t be easy. It wasn’t a cake walk for me. For almost 20 years, I believed God had a plan. I didn’t know how on Earth this plan would come to fruition, but I believed.
- You MUST step out of your comfort zone. That means realizing a college degree doesn’t make you a know-it-all. It means joining writing organizations, critique groups, taking additional classes, and working your socks off. It means accepting constructive criticism, but not defeat.
The reality of the business of writing (in today’s world) can be daunting. The signs of the times may be particularly unsettling. It may look like you’re at a dead-end. Your strength may be ebbing. Doors might be stuck. Here’s my thought: God’s still in control of all of it!
Dead-ends can become U turns. Weariness is common right before victory. And stuck doors can be pried open.
Continue praying, writing, learning, hoping, and dreaming. Don’t settle for crumbs when you can have the entire banquet.
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What’s something you’d like to share about YOUR writing journey?
Comments 8
Your post is a wonderful motivator this Monday morning. I’ll bet you even had your pom poms in hand. 🙂 Thanks.
Author
Not quite, Patti–it was my mondo cup of Starbucks! 🙂
Writing is not something I imagined myself doing until the last
year. A little over a year ago, I felt a little tug on my heart to
write a children’s story. I gave it to God and asked if it was His
will, to give me a great idea. Two days later, He did. Now, over
a year later, I’ve learned so much and am in the process of
writing my fourth book in my children’s series. Although it has
been an exciting new turn of events in my life, it also has also
been a huge challenge, one that I have been thankful for. So,
thank you for your post today. I agree it’s encouraging. 🙂
Author
Staying goal focused and Christ-centered are two biggies. It sounds like you’re doing both, Tanya! 🙂
Wow, what an encouraging post, Cynthia! I’m learning that God knows what we need, when we need it…even if it makes no sense to us at the time.
Author
Isn’t that the truth, Sarah! Timing is everything and our God is indeed an “on time” God.
Ooooh Cynthia, how I love when God uses one of His children to answer a prayer or encourage another! I just prayed about my writing – about God’s leading, what He wants me to be working on, which books/projects are important to His heart. Literally, I just came home from grocery shopping and was praying about it in the car. This post spoke to me to hang in there and not lose hope about my writing and the dream He’s put in my heart about publication.
Thank you for being a wonderful godly instrument. 🙂
I also pray over my posts and ask the Holy Spirit to give me the words to write. I have many unsaved friends on Facebook who may be reading what I’m writing…so I’m always analyzing, probably overly much. I love it though, and I see Facebook as my mission field right now.
Thanks again for sharing this in such an articulate and encouraging manner.
God Bless you.
Kerry
Author
Oh, Kerry…Do you realize you just blessed me, too?
And no, you must NOT give up if God has planted the seed within you to write and pursue publication. I’m a perfect testament to that.
(And I would agree, FB is indeed a field that can be ripe for harvest!)
Blessings to you also, friend! 🙂