2014 looms ahead like a bound book of blank pages waiting to be filled. For some, all that white is paralyzing. Others itch to fill the pages. Still others press the first page flat, prep the pen, and plan. Whatever your style, I encourage you to include God for only he can cause us to get it right. Do you doubt me? Look at 2013 one last time before you file it on the shelf.
The Book of My Life 2013 is filled with scrawls, inkblots,
and scratch outs, as well as exclamation points, underlining, and stars. So is
yours. Evaluate it through God’s eyes and you may be surprised. What you marked
as failure may have held important God-moments that will help you succeed in
your writing life or as a person. The success you did reach may have not been
as sweet as you anticipated. Why not? The Bible is filled with men who followed
God and knew success, only to become prideful, neglectful of family or driven
by accolades.
As writers, we incorporate our experiences into stories of impact.
We describe what we see and feel so that readers identify with us. With written words
we define and clarify what escapes others. In effect, we are God’s reporters weaving
truth into fiction in such a way that light comes to dark minds.When you look at it like this, every moment has the
potential of being a God-moment.
You have a
destiny, a purpose to fulfill. This next year will move you closer to it if you
let two truths guide you. They are true whether 2014 is a mountaintop or a desert
experience.
1. God
has a plan, a destiny, for you that is good. He tells us straight out in Jeremiah
29:11 “I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper and not harm you, to
give you hope and a future.”
2. You
choose your destiny. This destiny is not assured. It requires a decision to
follow Christ’s direction. He gives us freewill, yet invites us to follow him
and obtain full joy. “I set before you today life and prosperity or death and
destruction…now choose…” Deuteronomy 30:15-19
Happy New Year!
May this year be the closest you've ever been to the Lord. Live for him. Write for him.
