Into the Fire

Some people can never give up on their dream(s). I’m not sure when that is a good thing—if ever—and I’m not sure if at some point they must conclude it isn’t God’s dream for them.

If ever there’s a place for taking an X-ray of your dreams, it’s in publishing. Although the author journeys tell tales of such diversity—and adversity—there are those whose novels jump right into the opportune moment and find their words on pages and between covers with seemingly little interference.

A writer must learn to soul search his supposed love for the written word. For whom will he write? No matter what? Is publication the only affirmation which will satisfy? The only vindication for deciding to focus on creating a story and taking the time, making the effort, doing his best to get it just right? Can he accept the possibility that God will ask him questions he doesn’t want to answer? Can he lay down his writing for however the Lord might choose to use it?

Christian writers face these challenges to their dreams. The defining and fine-tuning of dreams must be yielded to the Lord. This can require sacrifice—even as we shiver at the mention of such a word in regard to our stories. Must we “settle for” obscurity? Must we write in oblivion? It’s not for us to say.

God gives the inclination to dream. Man runs with self-imposed parameters and designs his own versions of perfection, often forgetting the source of the dream. He either receives the assurance to press forward or he invents a reason to pursue his own purposes. Sometimes it’s just not clear. Is it?

For me, I wait. Laid bare before the Lord. Wanting more than anything to do what He’s designed me to do. The drama queen seeks to be noticed. The servant seeks service. The confidence fades and stays the course and flounders all over again. The next step often hides in a fog but the Lord sends encouragement like a cool breeze in a desert. He reminds me in that refreshing that it’s not about me . . . and once again I am laid bare.

Father, I wait for you to lead and guide, not wanting to plunge ahead of you as I’m inclined to do. Thank you for your patience and for working it out in me—in spite of me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.