A few years into my writing journey, I was frustrated and
anxious. Events were not unfolding as I thought they should, yet I still felt
that deep desire to write. If I was doing what God wanted me to do, why was I experiencing
roadblocks? When I set aside a time of prayer and Bible reading to find my
focus, Proverbs 16:3 seemed to jump off of the page in large letters. After studying it in several translations,
I’ve paraphrased it:
Entrust your efforts completely to the LORD and he will
cause your thoughts to align with his so that your works shall be established
and successful.
Through one sentence with a simple message God built my
confidence and clarified my focus. That is renewed every time I revisit this
verse.
1.
I’m not alone. I’m in a relationship with the
almighty, all-powerful God.
2.
I must exercise faith. If I say, “Sit back. I’ve got this one
God.” He will, until I learn how
hopelessly bereft I am doing it my way.
3.
When I take his path, step by step, my thoughts
merge into his will. He gives fresh and new desires in my heart that I find
pleasing, joyful, fulfilling. God
doesn’t usually take me on the route that I’ve mapped out, but he always takes
me on the best route.
4.
The results are successful, externally as well
as internally.
5.
I find myself firmly in places I didn’t know I
would go, but which bring satisfying results to me and which touch others.
The verse deserved a place on my office wall where my
forgetful heart can readily see it. How about you? What verse has God given you
for your writing life? If you haven’t accepted it, take some time to quiet
yourself before God. He has so much he wants to give you. A Writing Verse is
just one.
Mary Allen lives in the Midwest. She was La Porte
County Poet Laureate from 2010-2011 and serves as Arts in the Park Poetry Chair. Mary can be found on The Barn Door.net, has published numerous article, two real life stories in "Kernels of Hope", and a book of poems, "Journey to Christmas"
