Whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6
In my early years of writing, I wasn’t too prolific or consistent. I had written many drafts and sometimes bubbled with more ideas than I could handle. But publish them? Not so much. During Fall Conference last year, the Lord prompted me to finish more. It’s no wonder that over the last few years, He’s given me a challenge and promise: “Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on I will bless you” (Haggai 2:19).
As I began more diligently to finish
and publish, I thought of many principles of finishing that the Lord has been
teaching me. If you are like me, here are some values that can make a huge
difference in your approach to finishing well.
First, thank the Lord for His purpose for your writing. Then thank those who are inspiring you to spread your wings and publish more, those who have been models and mentors for you. I can think of a number in our IWO and InScribe who’ve done just that for me.
Forgive yourself if you haven’t yet built up a body of work or if you’ve wasted years in finishing. You have untapped potential, ability, and skills. Begin now and believe God: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…” (Joel 2:25). As you claim this promise, His Spirit will empower you to publish what you thought you couldn’t do.
Enlarge the vision of what you can do. You can be like Abraham who listened to God's directive: “Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you” (Genesis 13:17). Launch out and write blog posts, op-eds, personal essays, long-form articles, devotionals, and newsletters. Venture into podcasts and speaking engagements…Your vision will grow as you follow through on God’s assignments.
Be faithful in creation. Put in the hard work and stick with the projects God has called you to write. The Apostle Paul advised us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). At the right time, He’ll open the way for greater publishing and ministry.
But above all, pray. Thank the Lord for your potential. Be as Jeanette Oke who said she saturates her writing with prayer. Wait before the Lord and He will anoint your message.
Your work matters. God intended you to make a difference. The world is hungry for your stories. As you publish, you can trust that God will get your work into the hands of those who need to hear our Spirit-inspired writing.
It’s vital that we finish well. One writer recently described her dream of entering heaven. God asked her, “Where are all the books I wanted you to leave on Earth? Why have you brought them with you?” This was a stark reminder to be faithful in the writing God has appointed me to do. I want to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
God wants you to rise to your calling. Are you ready to take the next step?
“Your words are the
most powerful tool you will ever own.
Don’t let another day
slip away without using them to weave a better future for yourself and those
you care about.”
~Matthew Kelly~
