“Is writing a hobby for you,” I was asked twice this weekend. I kind of wonder if the Holy Spirit prompted others to ask me that question.
When I arrived at a writing conference yesterday morning, before I walked in the building, I had a conversation with the Father. “Why am I here? Why am I giving up my weekend, my money to pursue this? Did you truly call me to do this? Is this just an unrealistic dream?” The Father was silent.
Since I had driven four hours, paid the money, I walked in. Discouraged.
Stephen James who has published over 40 books, has a contract with Random house, and is on the NYT best seller list, told how he was rejected 19 times before someone gave him a chance. Nineteen times told no, you are not good enough, not the right fit, doesn’t meet our needs. Yet he kept trying.
“It is not about promoting you, it’s about promoting the message,” Bethany, the founder of this workshop and social media guru explained. I thought about the great commission. Jesus told us to go into all the world. Today with the use of Social media we can go into living rooms around the world with a click of a button.
After the conference had ended and I was just out and about, the question, “Is writing a hobby for you” was asked innocently by two different people.
As I reflected on what I learned during the conference, I could reply, “No, writing is not a hobby. It’s a calling. I have a message, a message that needs to be heard around the world. My message brings hope, freedom, and a greater revelation of God’s love and goodness. I may not be on the NYT best seller’s list yet or a household name yet but the message God has given me is powerful and real. It has been translated to Spanish and distributed to Mexico. It has transformed lives. Writing is not my hobby. It’s my calling. I am who God says I am, an author.”
What has God called you to do? Don’t give up. Learn from rejection and keep moving forward. Don’t allow the enemy to make you doubt your motives or make you think your contributions are insignificant. God has called you. He has set you apart for such a time as this. Pursue wholeheartedly the desires God has put on your heart. Declare who God says you are.
“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything just because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence and boldness he will get up and give him whatever he needs.” LUKE 11:8 AMP