“Stepping into Destiny”
Dear Writer, I hope you had a good week and took time to explore your unfolding “why!” This week, we’ll get practical and help you identify some first steps that you can take toward that “why.”
You see, writer, it’s not enough just to understand our “why.” It’s what we do with our “why” that makes a difference—just like a seed that remains inert until it’s planted in the ground. And here’s the wonderful thing: even if our “why” is small or undefined, all it takes is one small step to begin the journey of discovery.
But before we dive in, let’s look at a few others whose first small steps in pursuit of their “why” set them on a path of destiny…
First Steps in History
Christopher Columbus’s first job on a wool merchant’s ship ended abruptly when French privateers sunk the ship off the coast of Portugal. Surviving the attack, Columbus immediately formulated a new plan—his new “why”—to discover a path to Asia across the Atlantic, avoiding the long and arduous land journey through middle east or the perilous sailing trip around the continent of Africa. Columbus’s first step toward this “why” to of remain in Lisbon to learn navigation and cartography led him, not to Asia, but to the New World and opened the unexpected doors for pilgrims of all kinds to seek freedom from religious persecution.
You see, writer, “why’s” are often like that. Sometimes as we pursue our “why,” it takes on a life of its own, leading us to unfamiliar places and impacting lives beyond anything we could have imagined.
First Steps in the Bible
Ruth is another great example of a woman who took first steps with her “why.” When Ruth chose to return to Israel with Naomi, she committed to provide for her now destitute mother-in-law and to learn about Naomi’s God. Ruth began moving toward this “why” by gleaning in the fields to provide them both food. That simple step of faithfulness led to her meeting and marrying Boaz and becoming part of the lineage of the Messiah.
You see, writer, as we take our first steps, we must remember not to despise small beginnings. Often it is as we are faithful in the most unglamorous parts of our calling that God is opening doors for us to step into things greater than we ever conceived.
First Steps in Life
My first step toward my “why” came, as I pursued a film degree at Oral Roberts University. My “why” was to make films that showed God’s truth, and—of all industries—I knew I didn’t want to learn filmmaking at a school that did not put God at the center. What I didn’t know was that that first step would open doors that would impact the rest of my spiritual walk and career, connecting Jared and me with the overseas mission organization that God used to change our lives and prepare us for ministry.
First Steps in Your Life
You see, writer, with many “why’s,” we rarely see the full picture at the start. So many of us are writing things that have never been seen or done before, and it’s only as we take our first steps in faith into that brand new future that God begins to unfold the path before our feet. Let me prove it to you…
- By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. – Hebrews 11:8
- And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6
- And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6:11-12
- So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:17
You see, writer, faith is an active thing. Even as we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises and the full-fledged expression of our “why,” we must keep moving forward faith. After all, the seed that’s never planted cannot sprout. And once it’s planted—though it may take some time before the first shoots sprout through the dirt—as you water and weed, that unseen seed is always at work, pushing toward the light.
In the same way, as we take our first steps toward our “why” God is at work behind the scenes, causing His plans for us to unfold.
Where to Begin with First Steps
So are you ready to take a first step toward your “why?” Here are some ideas to get you started…
- Learn. Sometimes our first step can begin with learning. Take a look at the skills you will need to reach your “why.” Is there a class you can take? A book you can read? A webinar you can attend that will equip you to reach your goal? Active preparation is often one of the best first steps we can take toward our “why.”
- Practice. While some preparation comes by learning, at other times it comes with practice. What skills do you need to begin practicing? Do you need to work on writing good dialogue? On researching your story world? On connecting with readers through social media? We all reach a point, when the best next step is to get our feet wet and to learn by doing. Because it’s not just the things we know that change us, but the things we act on.
- Habits. Sometimes to pursue our “why,” we need to re-frame and re-prioritize the way we approach daily life. Sometimes a first step looks like establishing a habit of getting up earlier to write. Having a daily walk to think over our plot and story ideas. Getting to bed at a good time so our mind is sharp when we sit down to write. What habits and routines might support your “why?” This can be a great first step forward.
- Pray. Another great first step is to begin to earnestly pray about your “why.” You see, it can be easy to let the flood of life drown out our focus and God-given passion. But here’s the thing. When we meditate on and pray over our God-given dreams and keep them before our eyes, we keep our minds and hearts positioned to see what He’s doing and how He’s leading us as we move forward. Because here’s the thing…
As it says in Hebrew 6, we need both faith and perseverance to inherit the promises of God. Faith that He will do what He’s promised and perseverance to keep moving forward with Him in spite of life’s disruptions and distractions.
You see, Columbus could have let that pirate attack scare him away from the very idea sailing. Instead he let it spur his learning as he sought out better and safer routes. Ruth could have sunk into self-pity when her husband died, but instead she let her tragedy become the start of a brand new life. I could have discounted my desire to pursue storytelling as pie in the sky or my film education as insufficient in a highly competitive world, but instead I put God first and trusted Him to lead the way.
As Columbus, Ruth, and I each chose to simply move forward in faith toward our God-given “why,” that faith-filled obedience gave space for God to open doors He’d prepared for us to walk through before the beginning of time. Doors that have changed destinies, not just for us, but for so many who have come after. The nation we live in is a result of Columbus’s first steps. The lineage of Christ, as a result of Ruth’s. Brand new stories that have been written and told, as a result of mine. All are still leaving an impact far beyond what any of us could have imagined.
So, I encourage you today, writer. If you’ve been wondering where to start, take some time to prayerfully consider what first steps you can take toward your “why.” As you do, you will be making space for God to bring about his exceedingly abundantly more than all you could ask or imagine in and through your life, too.
#grow #faith #perseverance #promises #destiny #EveryWriterWriting
