I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps it’s because I fail so miserably at
keeping most New Year’s resolutions that I make. It is so very discouraging for me. I have these lofty goals and have such good
intentions but a week into the New Year and I’m already making excuses or
giving up entirely on any resolution-keeping I may have made. The same is equally true when it comes to
making writing goals for the New Year. I
have these lofty ambitions, I make writing deadlines for myself, schedule my days
and then inevitably something comes up and I have to scrap my plans and start
all over.
A writer’s life is full of lofty goals and ambitions, but it
is also filled with distractions, re-writes, re-writes, rewrites…and
occasionally scrapping the project entirely and starting from scratch. *sigh*
My life verse is, “In his heart a man plans his course, but
the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs
16:9 I have embraced that verse
because I have learned that if I make any kinds of plans on my own, I have to
be willing to also look out for the God-sized U-turns that may have me scrap my
original plans and follow another course direction that He has set for me. Faith is all about setting off in an entirely
new direction, knowing that His leading is always best.
When I make my own
plans, I tend to fail. I don’t have the
stamina or the endurance to stay the course.
New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside. Writing projects get put aside and artistic
procrastination sets in. I’m the queen
of excuses when it comes to keeping writing deadlines. Distractions abound that seem to take far
more precedence than my writing. Again,
all my best laid plans tend to dissolve and another opportunity for writing
ministry wasted.
With New Year’s resolutions, the only way I can succeed is
if I know there is a greater goal in keeping them. For example, I have been told by my doctor
that I must walk more to stave off a chronic health issue. The quest for fitness is not just a New Year’s
resolution now, it is necessary for long term health. That’s important to me because I’ve got to
keep up with very active grandbabies!
With a new, more purposeful focus, I can be disciplined and stretch
towards the finish line. Unfortunately,
I will fail in the attempt, if I think I can do this on my own. Prayer and a good accountability partner will
guarantee a positive result. “I can do
all this through him who gives me strength.”
Phil.
4:13
It is the same with
writing. I consider my writing a
ministry. As soon as I refocus on why I
write in the first place, I can rededicate myself to the task at hand. I am not writing for myself. Every project, every article is ultimately to
bring Glory to God. I believe God is
actively involved in leading me to those writing projects He wishes me to
contribute to, and He is with me throughout the writing process. He requires me to be disciplined in setting
goals and keeping them. It is important that I pray for His direction throughout the process.
If you are setting writing goals for the coming year, here
are a few scripture verses to ponder:
“My
heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue
is the pen of a skillful writer.” Psalm 45:1
“Do
your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“I
will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you
with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8
And
lastly, I sometimes replace the words “speaks” with “writes” in the following verse to further
encourage and challenge me as a writer.
“Each
of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone
speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone
serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things
God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for
ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
You
can find other encouraging verses for writers on my website.
Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded
Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age
themes. A wife, mom, grandmother, and
free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies
including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian
Writing Award winner. Readers may
connect with her on Facebook,
Twitter, and at lynndove.com
This is so encouraging, Lynn. The verses you chose are just what I needed to hear. I think one of the most powerful things you said was that if we think of our writing as a ministry, we will have better focus. This is EXACTLY what the executive have been talking about in regard to InScribe, too. We are a ministry - and that makes all the difference!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Lynn. I needed these reminder verses of why I write and Who I serve.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for 2018 ~ Wendy Mac
Thanks for pointing us to these scriptures that counter any of our "buts and maybes" about writing. God will help us with our plan and give us the strength, wisdom and instruction we need. If we don't think we're good enough, then we must read, "“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15)
ReplyDeleteFor further inspiration, Lynn, I bookmarked your blog where you present "25 Encouraging Verses for Writers." Thank you writing that is "rooted and grounded" in faith and in God's word. Amen.