Write His Answer

For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he will never go back on his promises.

Romans 11:29 TLB

Writing for the Lord isn’t easy! No, duh. You’ve probably already discovered this.

When I first started writing, everything I wrote got accepted. True, they were only 200 word devotionals. (That’s not to minimize the value of writing devotionals. God uses them in special ways to minister to readers – and to writers.) Then I wrote some articles for Christian education magazines and personal experience stories for Sunday school take home papers. But then . . .

In a continuing class taught by Lee Roddy at the St. Davids Christian Writers Conference I made a commitment to finish, in a year, the book I had started.

I quickly discovered that making a commitment and making it happen are two different things. A month passed, and then several months as I avoided working on the book and instead focused on writing the short pieces that came easy. But suddenly selling them was no longer easy. Rejection slips started filling my mailbox and eroding my confidence.

A letter from Lee Roddy didn’t bring any reassurance. “Has it occurred to you your work is being rejected because you are not doing what you committed to do?” he asked.

Gulp. But how did God expect me to write a book, much less sell it, when I was dismally failing at what had once come easy?

One word at a time!

Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing his will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:7 TLB

I had His promise. Now I needed to keep my promise.

I did finish the book and brought it to the post office exactly one year later. And then, as some of you know, God allowed my faith to be tested for SIX long years (and through 42 rejection slips) until an editor I met at the St. Davids Christian Writers Conference offered me a contract

What did I learn from this long and difficult journey? Lots of hard but important lessons. Here are just a few:

• God’s ways and timing are not mine. “This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours!” (Isaiah 55:8 TLB).
  
• I need to “go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth” (Colossians 2:7 TLB). He really is more interested in my relationship with Him than anything I can do for Him.
  
• I need to study His Word so what I write is biblically sound as well as study the craft of writing and marketing. “Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple” (2 Timothy 2:15 MSG).
  
• I need to be encouraged and to encourage others. “Encourage each other to build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 TLB).
  
• I need to stay positive and not forget all He has done and is doing. “Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done” (Colossians 2:7 TLB).
  
• And I need to keep the commitment I made and not give up. “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).

For 23 years the Colorado Christian Writers Conference and 35 years the Greater Philly Christians Writers Conference has sought to encourage and equip Christians to live out God’s call to “write His answer.” Through worship and inspiring keynotes, classes taught by skilled authors and editors, the rich fellowship we share with other writers, and celebrating the hard-earned publication of books during our special Friday author’s night the conferences are a once-a-year booster to not give up.

CDs are available from the Colorado conference that is held every May the Wednesday-Saturday after Mother’s Day. A link to the order form is on the home page of the conference website.

It’s not too late to register for the August 8-10 Greater Philly conference at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale although the price increases August 2 for late registrants and walk-ins. We cannot guarantee meals after today, and this is the last day to reserve a room at the Holiday Inn at the conference price. For more info and to register securely online go to https://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com.

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Ephesians 3:20 TLB