Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2 NIV).
When my family lived in Chandler, Arizona, we took many road-trips to California to visit my uncle during the holidays. Those of you who travel with children, know a five-hour journey will double depending on how many stops are taken: to use the bathroom, get gas, sort out fights, return to the gas station to retrieve phones, wallets or even shoes.
Inevitably, one of our four girls would ask, ‘are we there yet?’ So, when my uncle’s exit appeared on the GPS, we felt as if a beacon of light shone from the clouds. With fresh bursts of energy, we found our way to what became the most welcoming home in world. When greeted with love, delicious food, gifts and soft beds, a slice of heaven was dished to us. We realized—it was worth the journey!
Through our California road-trips, my husband and I learned NOT to allow the consumption of monster slushies from truck-stops. We learned that just because a store’s sign says the food and coffee is fresh doesn’t mean they’re telling the truth. Our family also learned to pack lighter. In other words, we learned a lot on the way to our destination.
Our journey as writers follows suit. We learn many things on the way to where we’re going, such as developing platforms, working with mentors and critique groups, etc. Then the destination of publication, financial gain, and notoriety, are indeed blessings. Yet, as Christian writers, God challenges us to persevere through the process as we strive to know Him and make Him known. Our faith in God to trust Him with our writing careers is often like a road trip with trials, twists, turns—and rewards. Sometimes we lose our way. Other times we return places we’ve already traveled. But it’s all part of the plan to get us where God ultimately wants us—in relationship with Him.
Dear Lord, help us to journey through our writing careers with the right balance of persistence and patience. Bless us to learn the lessons you’d have us learn on the way to our goals. Let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2 NIV). Amen.
Note: This article was first published in the December 2019 Issue of the online magazine for writers www.Inkspirations.com