Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” John 10:32, NLT
I love the implication of this verse. I don’t love that Jesus might get killed here. If you are a follower of Christ then you know he hasn’t done anything to deserve being stoned. Jesus lived a blameless life so that he could be the innocent put to death to pay for all the things we can be blamed for.
Trouble Brewing
In both military and ministry life (I am married to a Royal Air Force officer and work with officer cadets) I’ve often used the phrase that we must bet doing something right if they’re shooting at us. With ministry, I’ve felt the displeasure of the enemy, usually hot on the heels of a successful night. He often goes after family relationships or things that will erode my focus, I suppose to stop me from being effective. Other times he puts up a roadblock to our group meeting. There’s spiritual business he doesn’t want to see done.
This tactic has worked quite well in my writing life. I have felt benched for months. Reminiscing about days I could spent at my keyboard, fully focused and sharp, creating for the Lord. But then life intersected and discouragement became the overwhelming emotion I could attach to writing. At the same time, the work with future military leaders took off. Not without some epic hiccups, but nonetheless, the ministry is thriving (ll glory to God). So I decided to focus my energy there. That this was what God would have me get done. And I licked my writing wounds, resolute that I’d get back to it, eventually.
Solution on Tap
You might think this is a wise tactic. I certainly did. But I was wrong. I didn’t discuss this shift of my focus with the Lord. My thinking was that I should put my energy in the area God was anointing. What I didn’t do was consider this from HIS perspective. Earthly vs Eternal success look very different although the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. What I should have realized was that unless God very clearly shuts any door, I need to keep trying. Success in this scenario looks a lot like being obedient. That’s right, obedient. What I learned in this season, is to not judge my success with earthly eyes, but to try and see things from God’s perceptive. Tricky, because as we have well established, there’s nothing divine about me.
Thankfully, before I switched focus, I entered several writing contests, feeling nudged by the Holy Spirit. I have a checkered history with contest. I’ve been a finalist and won one, and gone absolutely nowhere in quite a lot more. Two contests came and finalists were announced… nothing. I felt a little twinge but hey, God’s momentum was clearly elsewhere so that twinge was nothing. Ignore and move on.
Wrong vs Write
Unfortunately, I was wrong. That little niggle about not being a finalist should have told my thick head that I needed to better budget my time and create space to continue working on my writing. But I’m not the finished article. God is still working on me. Then, getting in from church a few Sundays ago, my cell trilled with a number I did not know. Fearing telemarketers, I sent it to voicemail. Then my phone did something I’ve never seen before – it showed me the transcript of the voicemail while still recording. Friends – I couldn’t do that if I tried. What that technical event allowed, was for me to see the caller was from the third and final contest, and she wasn’t calling to tell me I was in the final, but in the final twice.
Joy and elation surged, of course they did. But they didn’t show up alone. They brought their friend, The Nudger. The Nudger gently reminded me that while I may not have done much writing lately, it wasn’t time to stop. There was more to be done.
The Challenge of Done
Success of something I’m called to do isn’t mine to measure. I described that as above my pay grade. I’m not called to be the best Bible study teacher, or writer. While I’d love to hit the shelves of dry many bookstores, best seller lists and so on, that’s not what I’m called to do. So win or more likely lose, I’m keeping going. And I’d like to encourage you to do the same. If God wants something done and asked you, no matter how hard or how elusive success is, let me remind you of this: you are winning in HIS eyes, just by showing up.
I’m a military wife and mom to two teenage girls (oh, Lord, have mercy). I write contemporary romance and have written a Bible study for military wives. I love to play guitar, read and ski, and I bleed green and gold (go Pack go). Swing by when I’ve been baking – the kettle is always on ready alert.
If you’d like a great book on writing I helped with, here’s the link...
And you can find more Word on Wednesdays here…
Not done, but well done!!!!!! Well deserved and such a word of encouragement!!!!!!
I love this Debb’s,
As a fellow writer & creative, doubt and insecurity as to whether I am doing the right thing by continuing in my creative endeavours or that I’m even good/talented enough to try abound on a regular basis. Also, that shouldn’t I be seeking more spiritual outlets for my gifts as surely that would be a better way of glorifying God’s name rather than just plodding on with my writing/broadcasting/drama outlets & opportunities. As you say we need to listen out for the Holy Spirit’s nudge and not the enemy telling us that we are not being holy enough or are wasting our time on self pleasing. I reckon if God has given us a gift or a creative idea then we need to see it through to completion even if we (as we often do) stumble along the way. Not always easy but thank’s for the encouragement and reminder to hang in there. Keep on writing girl, you have a gift.
Debb, this is so important, especially for writers. We Never Know what lives we’ll touch, and we have no right to stop until God tells us to stop. It’s a lot like being a pastor. Oh, heck, it’s EXACTLY like being a pastor. You may not see the results for years, or even in your lifetime. One of the women in my launch team just sold her first short story, after thirty years of writing. We’ll know when He wants us to give up, and when He doesn’t. Good one, Debb.
Thanks, friend. You are such an encouragement.