Growing the Seed of Your God-Given Vision
Dear writer,
I hope you had a good week and began to dive into vision for your writing journey! This week, we are going to go a step further into vision and explore how to discover your “why.”
You see, writer, there are many reasons we write. Sometimes, we know them, and sometimes we don’t, but when we do know our “why,” it can serve as guardrails for navigating the editing and publishing process! A clear, strong why will also help us persevere when the going gets tough, because here’s the thing…
Any work we do in life is only as strong as the “why” behind it. This doesn’t mean we need to necessarily know a lot about our “why,” but we do need to care a lot about our “why.” You see all God-given “whys” come with a deep-seated conviction. Jesus’ “why” is why he endured the cross. The Bible called it the “joy set before Him.” Our true “why” will spur us on in a similar way! But if you don’t feel your why is clear or strong, never fear! All why’s begin as seeds. And we’ll explore how to get and grow yours today.
But, before we start, let’s take a look at some others who discovered their “why.” A “why” that propelled them toward their destiny!
“Why” in History
William Wilberforce is a great example of a man who found his “why.” Though he began his career in politics out of personal ambition, when the Lord captured his heart, He also quickly set before Wilberforce two great objects—the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners—of the culture which led to the slave trade itself.
This “why”—anchored in Wilberforce’s faith in God—transformed his entire life. The way he spent his time, his money, his relationships. All centered around his newfound faith and these great objects. That God-focused, “why”-driven dedication caused Wilberforce life’s work to change the world, not only by abolishing slavery but by destroying the very worldview that had made slavery acceptable.
You see, writer, this is the power of discovering your God-given “why.” A God-given “why” is always bigger than us and allows God to reach through our lives in astounding ways.
“Why” in the Bible
The apostle Paul is another great example of a man who knew his “why.” After Paul was converted on the road to Damascus and began to preach to this fellow Jews, he found them surprisingly unreceptive to his message. God soon called Paul to shift his ministry focus from his own people to the gentile nations. Paul obeyed, hopeful to provoke his own people to a holy jealousy as they saw gentiles entering into the promise of Abraham that they themselves had ignored.
That passionate “why” sparked Paul’s two missionary journeys and kept him moving forward in the face of great persecution. That “why” also birthed His epistles—a good portion of the New Testament—as he felt keenly his responsibility to shepherd the growth of these distant fledgling churches.
Here’s the thing, writer. When we begin to discover our great “why” for our writing or our individual book, it will keep us going in the face of great challenges, too.
“Why” in Life
I first began to understand my “why” at the age of seventeen when the first outstanding Christian film I had ever seen gripped my heart. I realized in that moment—a movie theater is the only place people come without guards up or arguments and simply absorb a worldview. That realization parked my initial quest to create stories that displayed, not the nonsense of Hollywood, but the truth of God. My new “why” grew in definition over time, but it also kept me focused on writing no matter where I worked or what I was doing.
When God opened the door for my own writing to begin, I was ready. Because I had kept my eye on my “why” and allowed God to use it to shape my life. To my surprise, that “why” opened doors, not just for the birth of my stories, but the birth of many others’ stories as well, when God used my “why” to lead me into the start of Experience Writing conference.
“Why” in Your Life
Sometimes, we receive a “why,” and it seems our life goes in a different direction. But I’m here to encourage you to pursue your “why” and to let it inform your dreams and story and to propel you forward no matter what. Because here’s the thing. We don’t often receive a “why” because we are ready. It is the very pursuit of our “why” through which God grows and prepares us to step into its fullness. Let me prove it to you…
- Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” – Zechariah 4:10a
- But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. – Proverbs 4:18
- “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” – Mark 4:26-29
- “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” – Matthew 13:31b-33
You see, writer, everything in God’s Kingdom begins as a seed. A seed that grows and gains its full shape and definition over time. That is why one key to discovering your “why” is simply to begin with what you know. Because here’s the other thing. When we are faithful with a little, God uses that as the triaging ground to prepare us for more.
Where to Start with “Why”
So are you ready to begin your journey of discovery? If you are, here are a few ideas to help get you started:
- Ask God. Spend some time seeking the Lord about your “why.” He is the one who created us for a workmanship and as we ask Him for wisdom, He will not fail to answer. As you begin to explore and search out your own “why,” involve Him in the entire process. Journal about the things you are discovering. See what scripture might relate to where He seems to be leading you Pray over your vision “why” regularly. All vision is found in Him. The more clearly we know Him, the more clearly we will begin to understand who He made us to be.
- Review your passions. When we are saved, God gives us a new heart and begins to sanctify us so that, after a time, we begin to recognize that some desires are not simply our own. They come from Him. I encourage you to review those passions in your heart. The things that come up in conversation or in your thoughts again and again. What the burning message you want to share? Who desperately needs to hear it? This will provide insight into your why.
- Review Your Life. All your life God has been building you into the person you are today and that you will become tomorrow. Write down the key events of your life. Identify which are “hinge-points” that changed everything. Then using those “hinge points” organize them in order using those “hinge-points” as “chapter” dividers of your life. See if you can see a theme in each chapter—or in your story overall. Sometimes, those key events God uses to form our lives—especially “hinge points”—can be an illuminating view into the “why” He’s designed us for and our purpose and the story which we are to write.
- Ask friends. Sometimes friends have a clearer perspective than we do about the passions on our heart. I courage you to ask a dozen or so what top there thing they perceive you to be most passionate about. The resulted can be very telling!
You see, writer, discovering our “why” is about discovering what God has been doing and is doing in our lives and then purposefully partnering with Him in that work. This is the place where we become fully alive. Though it may not be easy, this is His place of fruitfulness for us as well. And here’s the beautiful thing…
As I mentioned before, all God given “whys” will be bigger than us. But you know why? Our great “why” is our invitation from the Lord. It is through the pursuit of our “why” that God intends for us to come to know and rely on Him in that sweet place of intimacy. After all, it is always from places of intimate connection that new things are birthed.
So if your “why” seems overwhelming, rejoice! God is inviting you into a greater work and a deeper partnership and understanding of who He is. If your “why” seems small—take heart! God may be asking you to partner with Him to grow your faith as you are faithful to what you do know and seek Him for more.
Pursuing our “why” should be about pursuing heart of God for us and for His world and seeing where the two intersect. And as we pursue our “why” wholeheartedly, taking hold of that which Christ took hold of us, our lives will begin to align more and more with His and His perfect intent. And as just like Wilberforce, or Paul, or myself, as you pursue His purpose for you and your story, relying on His strength and wisdom, you have no idea what worlds He will open up for others through you. Because here’s the real deal…
When we pursue our passion with His wisdom and help, entrusting the results to His divine care, He always does exceedingly more than all we can ask or imagine.
#why #vision #discovery #passion #EveryWriterWriting
