Why Writing Success Takes So Stinking Long (And Why It’s Probably a Good Thing)

I thought I would have been further ahead by now.  

After over twelve years of being a paid published writer, and after years of devouring marketing and leadership books, I knew some stuff. So when I decided to go full time with it, I expected my sideline freelancing career to swell to mushroom-cloud heights. Work would flow in beyond what I could handle. Money would pour in too, because I was finally prepared to press the button.

Alas, it has not proven to be so.

Eighteen months since officially going ‘full time’, I’m still beating the bushes for work and slowly – oh, so very slowly building up my clientele. Worse than that, going full time kicked off a full blown identity crisis.

New life stages can do that.

Instead of racing in any one direction, I find myself standing at a crossroad most days, wondering which path I’m destined or willing to commit to.

I confess, it’s frustrating to watch others rise to success with great speed and little effort, while I toil away, pushing the same dumb rock up the same dumb hill. Especially when I know God has called me to write, and I’m trying to follow Him.

Shooting Ourselves in the Feet? -- Janet Sketchley

God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.'"

But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."
Numbers 22:9-12, NIV*

The people in question were the Israelites, en route to the promised land. For three chapters (22,23,24) the enemy King Balak tries to get Balaam to curse them, but God will not allow them to be cursed.

They are God’s people, and He chooses to bless them.

Then in one chapter (25)—actually verses 1-3 are enough—Israel causes its own trouble.

For me, this is a startling glimpse of God’s perspective. He wanted to do so much for and with His chosen people. He protected them from their enemies, was leading them to a spacious and rich land... and they did the enemies’ job for them!

I wonder what He wants to do in our lives that we’re preventing?

*New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.

© Janet Sketchley, 2010
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