The Focus to Write

Have you ever felt like Nehemiah, writer?

Where you have an impossible goal—one you cannot achieve on your own—and the enemy is breathing down your neck? Your experience is not as uncommon as you think. Anyone who has attempted a great work for God has faced the same, and the Bible is full of examples of how they overcame. Nehemiah’s example, I think, is particularly instructive.

First, Nehemiah had a burning passion in his heart. Just like the story burning in yours. And he was given grace and favor from the king to pursue that goal. Just like your King has commissioned you.

Nehemiah was given the funding, the men, and the authority he needed to do the work. And in the same way, your King will provide for all your needs according to His riches and glory. With this in mind, it seems like going for the goal should have been easy for Nehemiah! And it often seems like it should be easy for us. Right?

Here’s the thing. When Nehemiah got to Jerusalem, he discovered enemies and obstacles there that made the work extremely difficult.

First, let’s talk about the enemies. Nehemiah enemies did not want to see the wall around Jerusalem completed. They used distractions, intimidations, lies, and threats to try and stop him. Our enemy does the same today. The key to Nehemiah’s success was that he recognized the distractions, intimidation, likes and threats for what they were and stayed FOCUSED. Do you know what lies, distractions, intimidation and threats the enemy has leveled against you, right now?

Second, Nehemiah faced obstacles. The people in the land were not very many nor very strong, but working together they were able to complete the job. Are you alone writer? Do you have others you can share with and lean on in your writing journey? We need each other, writer. We need to be connected to other believers and other writers.

Focus and community are key components on a successful writing journey. But how do we maintain them when it seems like life is exploding and the enemies arrows are flying? Let’s look at Nehemiah one more time, writer.

Nehemiah’s one key to success was this: he remembered his God and what his God had promised. When everything was against him and when the people went back to their old ways, Nehemiah did not back down from the word the Lord had given him. He kept going. He kept building. And he called others to do the same.

So how about you, writer? Perhaps this is a moment where you simply need—in the face of overwhelming odds—to not back down.

After all, if anyone had an excuse to quit, it was Nehemiah. But here’s the beautiful thing. Nehemiah kept hold of God’s word, ruthlessly ignored distractions, and remained unswervingly engaged with God’s people, and he rebuilt the walls in a miraculous fifty-two days.

Your King is ready to do something miraculous through you, writer. I encourage you today, whatever your enemies, whatever your obstacles, hold fast to the word, refuse the lies, intimidation, and distraction, stay connected to His people, and KEEP WRITING. One day, sooner than you think, you will step back and say with Nehemiah and say “God as done this!” as you look at the miracle He’s accomplished through you.

#nevergiveup #writing #persevere #keepgoing #miracles #everywriterwriting