You Want Me to Go Where?

The writing journey is just that—a journey. It’s filled with dips and turns and lots of bumps. Had I not believed in my heart that it’s what God called me to, I would have quit before I really got started. It’s human nature. We prefer things to come to us with little effort on our part. It doesn’t help that there are very gifted people in our world who make what they do look so easy. The truth is, we don’t see the years of hard work required to excel at their skill level. I think about this whenever I watch Olympic figure skating. Put me on ice in a pair of blades, and it would be a pure miracle if I could do a simple loop. That is, if I’m even brave enough to let go of the railing.

Years ago, when this trek was more dream than substance, Chris and I were at a chiropractic conference in Orlando, Florida. Just between you and me, I would have much rather been at Disney World or Epcot Center, but instead we were stuck in a hotel for days attending sessions. The conference itself was forgettable since I’ve been to many of them since, and they all tend to blend together like a child’s abstract painting. But what I do remember is that Chris was reading Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God during our morning quiet time with the Lord.

I had been feeling discouraged and unsure of what God was doing with the whole writing gig. I’d only attended Mount Hermon’s Writer’s Conference twice, and I didn’t even have enough confidence to approach an editor, agent, or publisher. Was I fooling myself by thinking I’d actually be published some day? Was I even supposed to be published, or was the Lord intending the journey to lead elsewhere?

“Wouldn’t it be great if God sent a text message or email to let us know His plans?” I’d said.

Chris nodded. “Doesn’t work that way.”

“No kidding,” I grumbled.

“I think there’s something you should read in my book.” He riffled through the pages as I planted myself in the only other chair in the room. When he found the right passage, he passed the book to me.

I can’t remember the exact quote, but the gist of it was that God doesn’t tell us ahead of time what He intends to do with the road He has us on, because we couldn’t handle it. We would gaze upon His plan and quiver in fear believing we are not capable. And we’re not. At least not when we’ve just started on the quest. His words brought me comfort and reminded me that I wasn’t supposed to be the focus of my journey—God was. I read that book for myself once Chris finished it, and I believe it’s time I did so again. We can never be reminded too often of where we fit into the true scheme of things.

As I’m writing this post, my stomach is a little unsettled, and my normal heart rate of 60 bpm is 74. Not high for most, but definitely a little off for me. In only a few short hours, I have to teach a Zoom session for Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, and I feel totally inadequate. Not much different than Gideon when the Lord tasked him with leading the battle against the Midianites. And isn’t it coincidental that when I opened today’s devotional, New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, it was about Gideon in Judges 6:11-18. Or it would be if I believed in coincidences, which I don’t.

Mr. Tripp wrote, “If you fail to remember who God is in His power, glory, and grace, and you forget who you are as a child in His family, you will always mismeasure your potential to do what God has called you to do. You will measure your capability based on your natural gifts and the size of whatever it is that God has chosen you to face.”

When I think back to that morning in Orlando, if God had told me then that I would later be teaching at a writer’s conference while juggling three book deadlines and preparing for the launch of my seventh novel, I would not have believed it was possible. It took me nearly a year to write the first draft of one book then, let alone three in the same span of time. I feared marketing more than any other aspect of the writing career, and yet I’m doing it anyway. Not perfectly, but adequately, and with help from a Virtual Assistant and a wonderful Street Team. Here’s an invaluable tip—when you need help, ask for it!

Another reason God doesn’t reveal His plans is because He still has a lot of work to do on us before they can come to fruition. He stretches us, day by day, year by year with challenges, failures, and victories. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: God is much more interested in our character than in our accomplishments. If we’re to glorify Him, we need to be molded into something He can use.

Whatever fears you’re facing today, I hope you’ll gain some comfort from these words. God’s got you. Look to your challenges and failures as growing pains, and your victories as inspiration. Until we’re in heaven with our Lord and Savior, He’s not done with us. Who knows where the next road will lead? Well, aside from God, that is.

P.S. The teaching session I facilitated for Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference went just fine. All my fears were wasted energy. Big surprise, huh? Maybe I’ll learn to trust in the sovereign grace of God eventually!

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