Dear Writer, I hope you had a good week and took time to consider your God-given identity! This week, we’re going to look at the marketing mindset of “the long view.” You see, writer, marketing is about building relationships and a reputation with your readers. And here’s the thing…
Relationships are based on trust and built over time. Keeping the long view in mind will help you to show up consistently and persistently to do both. This perspective will also help you navigate tough decisions as you establish a voice and platform (reputation) that readers can recognize and trust.
But before we jump in, let’s take a look at some others whose long view dramatically shaped their life’s work…
The Long View in History
Mother Cabrini is a beautiful example of a woman who took a long view of her life and goals. Though her heart was to help orphans in China, she wasn’t discouraged when the Pope sent her to New York City. Instead, Cabrini applied herself diligently in her service in America. As she did, she developed the experience, skills, and reputation that prepared her for the global ministry the Lord intended for her to have. Including work with orphans in China.
You see, writer, part of taking the long view is learning not to despise humble beginnings even while you hold onto your dreams. When we recognize that mastering the “small things” and taking the small steps prepares us for our future, it can give us strength to persevere.
The Long View in the Bible
Daniel is another great example of someone who took the long view in life. Though exiled in Babylon, Daniel never forgot God’s promise of restoration for His people, even while he diligently served foreign kings. When Daniel understood the time of Israel’s exile was drawing to an end, he was not discouraged by the lack of apparent change in his circumstances. Instead, he fasted and prayed earnestly for the fulfillment of God’s word as he continued his faithful service in the royal court.
As a result of his faithfulness both to the “now” and the “not yet,” Daniel received both confirmation of God’s promised restoration and also the revelation of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah along with a sweeping view of all that would happen to Israel and the world before the end of the ages. The witness of Daniel’s life and of the prophecies he received inform and strengthen God’s people today and will continue to do so until the end that Daniel prophesied.
You see, writer, when we take the long view, it spurs us to do all things with love and excellence—whether the circumstances are conducive and comfortable or not, because we know we are building toward an expected end. As we do, we build a reputation that draws in those God wants to reach and create a space for God to speak a message through us that can echo through the decades long after we are gone.
The Long View in Life
I took the long view toward my goal of filmmaking as I graduated from college and patiently worked the jobs the Lord provided while practicing my skills in film. Though I did not always serve with a heart full of love and excellence, I was faithful to each post where God called me and to what I knew at the time. As I served, God used lessons from each job to prepare me as a leader and a story teller, until He knew I was ready to lead and to write my own stories. Though I’ve not yet attained all my goals regarding filmmaking, God has used my obedience to release and multiply the voices and leadership of others.
The Long View in Your Life
You see, writer, part of developing a long view is recognizing that all dreams are achieved through a process. When we know that, we won’t be wearied by that process along the way. It’s about learning to appreciate and embrace the small things as the means He uses to prepare us for the bigger things. This mindset helps us to lean into the “now” in a way that actively paves the path toward His future for us in our thoughts, words, prayers, and decisions. Let me show you…
- And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3
- Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. – Psalm 126:5-6
- Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. – Ecclesiastes 11:1
You see, writer, it can be tempting as we traverse our marketing journey to be discouraged by the smallness of the “now” or by the distance of our goals. But learning to take the long view trains us to live and work with expectation. An expectation that God will do He has promised. And expectation that fuels and focuses through difficulties by reminding us of the future fruitfulness of our small daily steps.
Where to Start with the Long View
So, writer, are you ready to consider the long view of your writing and marketing journey? Here are few ideas to get you started…
- Write the Vision. If you haven’t yet, take some time to prayerfully explore and dream about your call to write. Don’t limit yourself in this stage. Write down all God has put on your heart, no matter how far-fetched it seems. Be sure to write these dreams somewhere you can see them regularly. Consider sharing them with a trusted friend or payer partner.
- Dig into the Word. Ask the Lord for any scriptures that align with the dreams He’s given you. Write these scriptures in the same place as your dreams. Then, pray and declare these scriptures over yourself and your dreams daily. Doing this will help prepare your mind to act on those dreams.
- Take a Small Step. Take an honest look at where you are now in your writing and marketing journey. It may help to write out where you are at the moment. As you do, ask God to highlight what steps you need to take now. Then, commit to taking those steps with consistency and excellence.
- Continue to Pray and Be Accountable. As you move forward, continue to pray regularly over your dreams and the steps you are taking. I strongly encourage you to invite a prayer partner or two to join you in this. Continue to write down the insights God gives you in your times of prayer as well as the lessons He teaches you along the way. Because here’s the thing…
Developing a long view for your writing and marketing journey is about learning to grow and maintain vision. A vision based on who God has called you to be and what He’s given you to do. Growing your vision is a natural outgrowth of knowing your identity. Vision is also what gives us the joy and strength to press through the difficulties, because it hooks our heart into the heart of God to see transformation in the lives of our readers. And here’s the thing…
God himself operates by vision. Hebrews 12:2 says “For the joy set before Him (His vision), He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” In the same way, when we grow and maintain the long view in our marketing efforts, it brings our successes and failures into perspective so that we neither give up in discouragement nor stop short of God’s best in satisfaction with lesser levels of success. Because here’s the final thought…
When we embrace the long view, it trains us not only to reach our God-given goals, but also shapes us to be the kind of people He can reach through. Just as He did with Mother Cabrini, Daniel, and me, as He used our long view to expand each of us and to multiply our impact far beyond anything we’d ever asked or imagined.
So I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve felt discouraged where you are, take heart! Ask God to help you grasp and establish His long view for your life and writing. Know that as you do, every step of the way, He will be preparing you and your message for things wildly beyond your imagining, too.
#longview #vision #impact #multiplied #smallsteps #faithful #EveryWriterWriting
