By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
We are on a Sacred Adventure, a journey of the soul fueled by the opportunity to touch the lives of countless people.
We have been given a treasured gift, the gift of writing.
Writing is not an easy journey, but it’s one filled with holiness.
Writing is a path each writer takes alone. But in the stillness, we hear from God.
Writing is filled with human rejection. Critique partners, readers, editors, family members, friends, and professional critics all have an opinion about the quality of what we do. And they are free with their questions and advice.
The bad comments need our boundaries and sound like this:
- How much money have you invested in your hobby?
- Why aren’t you published?
- I read your story. Good thing you have a job to pay the bills.
- You’re out of control. We all agree you’re eccentric, bizarre, and need meds.
- You’re spending way too much time on something that won’t happen.
- Give it up. Your writing is horrible.
But God accepts us unconditionally. He never abandons us.
Writing may never meet the world’s definition of success, but God has a special place in eternity for those who follow Him in obedience.
As Christians, if we haven’t had the experience of gut-wrenching fear at the future, putting our trust in God, and closing our eyes to everything but God – trust me, friends, we will.
In weak moments, we ask ourselves if the goal of publication is worth the sacrifice. Maybe we need to go back to a normal life, whatever that is.
When I think I might be alone, my thoughts go back to God. Our stories are never unique, and we can always find a biblical character who survived what seemed like the impossible.
Abraham: How could he father a nation without a son from Sarah?
Moses: How could he lead his people out of Egypt with a speech problem and wanted for murder? He also wrote the first 5 books of the Bible.
Joseph: How could he serve God in prison and forsaken by his brothers?
Ruth: How could she find food for her and Naomi when she was a foreigner in a land that resented her?
Deborah: How could she lead soldiers into battle when she was a woman?
Mary: How could a virgin give birth to the Son of God?
Peter: How could he lead the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection when he’d denied Him three times?
Paul: How could he teach others to Jesus when he’d condoned the deaths and imprisonment of believers?
You and I: How can we follow Christ with our dreams in a world filled with unknowns? How can we move one step in front of the other with what we might be facing?
The answer is always the same. God is with us and for us. He knows the past, the present, and the future. With him all things are possible.
Psalm 27:1 ESV
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 41:13 ESV
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Our challenges in life are sacred adventures, holy to God. Treasure them, grow from them, and never forget our God who is in charge.
What is your sacred adventure?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
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Comments 13
Hi Di Ann
I am a little late responding, but pleased to be able to do so. I have been facing some
sustained challenges, but I am beginning to see God’s hand in it all. I became quite
discouraged about writing, feeling I had nothing to say, that anyone wants to hear. God
rebuked me about that. I appreciate all you said, but especially about Moses. I feel I
can relate to him in many ways. I now feel can really encourage others. At our church,
at Christmas, our Pastor exposition on Mary inspired me.
My prayer is now like Mary’s : “Lord let it be unto me, according to your will.” I am
encouraged to take up my quill and write, once again.
Frances, you have so much wisdom and insight into God’s word. I encourage you to begin writing again.
Thanks DiAnn for sharing your gift of encouragement. I am encouraged!
I am facing the fact that God may want me to quit writing for the public and go back to the kind of writing I used to do — letters to those who may be going through a critical period in life. I’m not sure that my blog posts are really important to anyone. But my letters might be. I’m still struggling with this decision. There’s not time to do it all.
Barbara, I’m praying for you. If God has a purpose for writing, He will show you the when.
This is a great message. 🙂 I am enjoying the writing process.
Melissa, I’m so glad. The writing process changes us into better people while we’re learning how to communicate through the written word.
This is a very good word. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you
Vondia, So glad!
Great post, DiAnn. I identify with everything you say. Especially when I first started writing seriously many years ago, I received all kinds of comments and misunderstandings from people regarding my writing ministry. I especially appreciated what you said about writing not meeting the world’s definition of success. So very true! Thank you.
Thanks, Jack, so glad you enjoyed the post. Write on!
Thank-you DiAnn, for this encouraging post
Hi Barb, I appreciate your letting me know this encouraged you!