COMITTMENT

I wrote the following for my website, a place for writers resources. Though the tips below are intended for writers, many of the examples apply to any vocation or ministry. Insert where it says 'writer'. After whining about frustrating events in my life recently, a dear friend pointed out that there are seasons we pass through. She included the story about the lads who were sent out into the world and found beauty in a tree; all in a different season, all beautiful and new to them. I hope this article means something to someone, or that you will share it. It seemed relevant to use it here. Come visit my website too when the new issue is out - mid to late May.

Is writing still right for you? Certainly, every one of us has asked that question.

Recently, I read words that caused me pause. Words that were meant as encouragement and motivation, strong words that bit to the core. Is there a time to re-evaluate? If God works in His own season, can the season for writing pass?

Here are some tips for examining your progress as a writer. Yet, remember that God has a plan for you, and that plan may not fit into our own ideas of success or into our own time table.

1. Successful writers can set and stick to a schedule.

2. Successful writers don’t require interaction and enjoy working independently.

3. Successful writers handle the business end of writing and publishing.

4. Successful writers are professional

5. Successful writers don’t procrastinate.

Copied from Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen’s “7 Personality Traits of a Successful Writer”

http://theadventurouswriter.com She is author of five "Quips and Tips" blogs, and is writing a series of "Quips and Tips" eBooks.
She also wrote “Four Signs that You Need to Re-Evaluate Your Writing Goals”

that includes these points:

(1) lack of forward momentum,

(2) boredom or lack of motivation,

(3) low return on investment of your time and energy

(4) negative or no feedback. Descriptions of each symptom were given in the article.

She also warned to watch for : 1) losing your joy for writing, 2) losing your creativity 3) talking about it more than doing it, 4)resentment of time and energy, and 5) lack of self- discipline.

Her suggestions are valid and the books are excellent motivation.

Yet many authors admitted to succumbing to most of these traps , and fell short of the list for success.

There are many interferences in life, and some are not interferences at all but God’s plan. We are, after all, servants of God, mothers, dads, parents, employees and employers. We may wear many hats, and they may all be ordained by God. At the very least, God allows for mistakes we make in life. Our decisions may be off the track God has set for us, and so we are derailed.

Some of the interferences in life call for our full attention, or at least a large portion of it. For a season, illness takes precedence. For a season, a child needs you. For a season, God calls you to another ministry, one in which you feed someone who is hungry, who needs clean water, or medical help . For a season, you may fall victim to serious misfortune. For a season, God calls you to give care to your aging parent.

God never promised that as writers, we would always write. He didn’t promise that we would always publish our works for the world to see, or that we would ever publish works for more than a few to see. He never promised fame and fortune, or that we would always be successful. What He has promised you in your life is a personal promise that He will fulfill. He promised that He would complete a good work begun in you, until the day of His return. How he will make that happen, is yet to be determined.

Max Lucado wrote in a powerful message: “The Write Stuff” how Paul did not set out to be a writer. He accepted the role of “Kingdom Scribe” as God given. Paul wrote to the churches, and he wrote to individuals. He could sound like a poet of honey-filled words, but at other times he merely sounded frustrated; sentence beginnings without ends, “lumps of ideas” instead of lyrics.

Max continues the example by telling of the church sister who thanked him for his words on prayer. When another brother passed out copies at his company, he smiled. When his daughter in India, saw his books in store windows, he glowed. Writers enjoy hearing that their work is successful in this world.

But there’s more. Max speaks of the exhausted single mother who needs just a word or a phrase, or the businessman who stops in his pursuit of numbers to read a blog, and of the teenager whose been led by images of vampires and fantasy who now wants truth. Max reminds us that we are writing for the soul.

His story is motivation. Yet, all that we do, we do for Christ Jesus; if we love Him. All that we do is for the soul - one soul, or two or many. http://www.maxlucado.com/articles/topical/the_write_stuff/

Maybe we aren’t writing, perhaps for only a season, or perhaps God has another plan for us. If we are not writing, think about the reasons why. Don’t beat yourself up thinking you should be accomplishing more. What is God doing in your life now? Is He touching someone through your life, through your service, through your attitude ?

Are you doing what you are doing for the soul- one soul, two, or many?

1Cr 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

(c) April Boyer April 29 2010