PRESS THROUGH

Press Through

Artwork courtesy of Bill Osborne

Read Matthew 14: 24-26.

I attended my seventh Write! Canada Conference this past June. Each year I have come away inspired and ready to write for Him.

This year the Conference theme read, “Change the World with Words”.

Every year I feel and hear words and thoughts of insecurity and this time was no exception.

Why? Why as Christian writers are we insecure in our calling?

Grace Fox covered this topic in her continuing class, “What authors need to know” and in her plenary session. Grace is author of the book Moving from Fear to Freedom. She has recently released a Bible study and DVD based on her book.

These words of uncertainty filtered into our prayer times with members requesting direction from God. “Is this the path You have chosen for me?”

“What am I doing here?”

“Should I be a writer?”

Oswald Chambers tackles this, calling it the deception of the Enemy – this self-doubt. He reminds us about Peter and how he walked on water for a bit – then saw where he was, lost his focus and started to sink.

Every time we lose focus of the One who calls us we have self-doubt.

“We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go.” (Oswald Chambers, June 18)

Chambers says if we start asking questions of whether we should or shouldn’t, we are in essence debating with God.

“Never begin to say – “Well, I wonder if He did speak?” Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him.” (Oswald Chambers, June 18)

How reckless are you? Do you step out of the boat when He calls you to write something?”

Can we as writers “Change the World with words?”

I think we can.

Let’s step out of the boat together! Press though our uncertainties and walk on that water.

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it (Philippians 3:12-16 The Message).“

This was first posted on Inscribe Writers Online, July 3, 2011.