Dear Writer Friend
Dear Writer Friend, how’s it going?
(the following was written approximately a year and a half ago, the battle continues…)
I just had one of the toughest weeks as of late. I wrote precious little and was focused more on getting a job than writing. I had a job interview that I didn’t get.
I felt awkward and embarrassed at my interview performance after being out of practice for so many years. And then another job wasn’t a good fit.
Later, I met with friends for lunch – sweet godly ladies. It was wonderful to catch up until they asked me how the writing was going.
A unison of dazed nods followed as I vaguely attempted to describe my author’s journey. I felt myself shrinking and felt even smaller noticing the large homes and beautiful landscapes of the neighborhood where they all lived, a stark contrast to our home on the “other side of the tracks”.
The Warzone
I’ve been in a battle, a warzone. It wasn’t until my husband questioned my state of mind that the degree of the battle was revealed through a tight throat and a cascade of tears.
As my husband listened, I pulled one spiritual dagger after another from my heart, unaware of depths of the wounds as my emotions erupted and gushed forth.
“Why are you allowing Satan to fill your head with lies? Why are you believing all this?”, he asked.
Normally I’m the one asking these questions. I’m the one to be in tune with spiritual warfare and fight with the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-20).
What happened to my armor? How had I fallen for this trap – again? I had been duped and played. Even though I fought and prayed, I stumbled and fell.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8 ESV)
In Good Company
The warfare is real and strong. Over and over again in Scripture we see our brothers and sisters fighting for their God-given purposes as the Narnia movies depict so well.
David was told he would be king but had to run for his life from Saul. Mary was an unwed teen mom of the Messiah who most certainly had to endure sneers and ridicule – maybe for years. God was clear in the book of Joshua that He had given the Israelites the Promised Land, but still they had to fight for it.
And God has given you and I the desire to write for His glory and we’re going to have to fight the good fight as well (1 Tim 6:12).
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 12-14 ESV)
Do you find yourself struggling as well? Are you too fighting for your calling? Let us not be surprised. Satan does not want us to fulfill our God-given purposes and continue to bring God’s kingdom to earth.
Let us encourage one another and press on and press through toward the prize in Jesus. He’s worth it!
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25 ESV)
How can I pray for you?
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