Into the Fire

Sifting the wheat from the chaff . . . In daily life this is not such an easy plan, but its value is critical.

Nick Harrison , Senior Editor at Harvest House and truly one of the good guys, blogged about the call to write and other such things that provide the impetus to write regardless of what that writing produces. Kind of a litmus test for surviving the trials, the disappointments, the overall difficulties of writing itself and writing in hopes of being published. Good stuff.

The thing I’ve noticed lately is how eager we are to chase after the chaff in this business. How we hold people up in awe of their commitments, their brilliance, their longsuffering in order to produce these superlative novels, their labor over choosing words to make their tomes near perfect. As if their efforts make them special and worthy of reverence.

Have we forgotten the role we play in God’s kingdom? Have we simply ignored the gift-giving comes from Him, and the labor is done to honor Him? If He touches something with His holy hand to direct it into the spotlight, it’s not because of who we are. But we have a hard time sharing the glory. I worked so hard for so many years to write this “excellent” story—oh yeah, that the Lord put on my heart. Now I can tell everyone who reads this interview or this post on my blog or this Tweet or on Facebook that all you really have to do to get published is write this “really great story”, and, oh yeah, I’ll be teaching a class on characterization at such-and-such a conference.

The chaff blows away. Even in a light wind. The wheat of obedience lasts forever. Consider what in your life you want to matter most . . .

Father, I’m sorry for every time I’ve chased after meaningless nonsense. Jesus, you’re all I’m livin’ for. I’m desperate for you. Please help me to be more obedient. Less of me. More of you. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.