One night, I finished reading one of Jane Kirkpatrick’s books and I lay there sobbing. Lord, how can I even think to call myself a writer? I could never, ever write a book of this quality, with this much research. She’s just sooo talented…
He brought to mind the parable of the talents. I was reminded that even if I am the servant given the one talent and Jane was given the ten, I need to use what I’ve got for the Lord.
Feeling called to be a writer is all about faith. What is faith? (Besides my daughter’s middle name?) The Bible defines it as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Over the seven years I’ve been writing, there have been periods where I’ve questioned if I’m capable or not. Called or not. Talented or not.
Yet, over the same period of time, my faith has been growing. I am sure that I am being led to something through my writing. I ask everyday that the future hold publication because if I’m not published, then no one will read the book! But I trust that, published or not, the Lord can use the stories He has given me to tell.
What do you need to have faith for? What is God doing in your life now that will come to fruit in the future?
First rule in this game, girlfriend, (okay, maybe not the first rule, but one of the top ten, at least) — no comparing yourself to others. Sure, there are novelists who seem to have received their fair share of talents and then some. And then there’s us, looking down at the measly little one talent we’ve been given … ; )
Bottom line — He multiplies our talents. Just the way He wants to. Sometimes we, with our one wee measly-little talent, reach the same number of hurting readers as those novelists with a buncha talents. And sometimes, hee-hee, we reach more. Why? Only He knows. And He don’t care one wit ’bout no best-sellers list. All He cares about is reaching those who need the message in the story He’s given us (and only us) to tell.
We carry on with our one talent. We don’t bury it, but we take it and use it with all we’ve got, all for Him and letting Him work it out through us. Now THAT’s faith. That’s what makes this task so much fun. Important. And just a wee bit scary.
Steppin’ out with Him usually is. Scary. But that’s why He says it so often in the Word: “Do not be afraid.”
Steppin’ into this industry is a wee bit terrifying. Ahh, but hear Him say it again, “Do not be afraid.”
You’ll both be absolutely awesome additions to this industry. Can’t wait for you both to sign your book for me. Um, make it out to “Our dearest friend Donna, best and most talented novelist in the world.”
HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!!!!!!!!
: )