“Embracing Your Divine Design”
Hello, Writer! I hope you have had a fabulous month of overcoming! Now that we’ve made progress on our “why” (September) and on recognizing our obstacles (October), there’s one more thing you need to know. Your starting point. If you want to get directions to your destination, you have to know…where you currently are.
How does that apply to us as writers? Well, to reach our writing destination, it’s best to start at the very beginning…with YOU. That includes why you’re writing and who you’re writing for (which we explored in September), but it also involves simply knowing who you were designed to be and how you function.
Sometimes we find ourselves frustrated as writers because we’re fighting our inherent design—our strengths and weaknesses and preferences. But before we dive into YOU, let’s look at some examples of people who understood and embraced their own “starting points.”
Knowing “You” in History
George Washington is known as a great American general. But did you know it wasn’t because he was a brilliant tactician? Washington was terrible a planning the movement of ground assaults and worse at adapting them as needed during the height of conflict. But Washington did know this: he knew his own strengths and weaknesses, including his inability to plan and win big battles. As a result, he developed a war strategy that was uncommon in his era: to fight small wars, to run away well, and to wear the enemy down, all while getting the advice of people more skilled than himself. Even from rivals. His uncommon strategy helped him to win the Revolutionary War in spite of many losses.
That’s what knowing “you” can do for you, writer. It can help set you up with strategies that capitalize on your strengths and bolster your weaknesses, so that you will, in the long run, succeed and publish that story! Let’s continue.
Knowing “You” in the Bible
King Jehoshaphat was a king who knew his strengths and weaknesses. During times of peace, he did great works of spiritual and judicial reform. But when Ahab called on Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat unwisely allied with Ahab in a war that almost cost him his life. Later, when a great army of Moabites and Ammonites assembled to attack Judah, Jehoshaphat did not run into another unwise alliance, though it would be the “normal” thing for kings to do. Instead, he ran to God and sought His help and wisdom. God gave Jehoshaphat a strategy more unconventional still—to sing. While Jehoshaphat’s army worshiped on the front lines, God destroyed their enemy.
Now, here’s the thing, writer. Part of knowing “you” is knowing what’s not for you to do and worry about and to know when and how you need to lean into God. Let’s keep going.
Knowing “You” in Life
When I was just starting out in life and entering college—I knew I needed to tell stories, and since the Lord captured my heart through Christian movies, I thought that to tell those stories best, I had to become an actress. But…I knew me. I knew I would never tolerate the scandalous plays so many theater programs foisted upon their acting students. So, I went to Oral Roberts University. When I was a year into my major, I made another “starting point” decision. After taking a long hard look at the acting industry, I knew that I needed to shift my focus from in front of the camera to behind it. My skills and gifting were made to excel in story and movie making. Not in simply acting them out. And the honest truth? I liked the way I was and didn’t want to change…anything about my appearance or personality in order to succeed as an actress. This decision launched me into the path that led me to where I am today.
And this is another thing, writer. Knowing your starting point—knowing “you”—is just as much about saying “no” to certain things as it is about saying “yes” to others. It’s about growing in wisdom in what those “yes’s’ and “no’s” should be. And about the courage to try things, take risks, and be willing to make changes along the way as you learn.
Knowing “You” in Your Life
Now, here’s the interesting thing, writer. God created you uniquely to function in a way no one else does. That design will absolutely have an effect on your “starting point” as a writer, where you write, when you write, what you write, how you write, and with or without whom! Does that feel a little overwhelming? Don’t worry. Discovering your starting point can be an exciting and fun process…and guess what? You won’t be alone in it. Take a look…
- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10
- There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:13-14
- What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us…“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:12, 16
- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5
Isn’t that good news, writer? Some of you may know instantly what kind of things “you” need to starting writing and writing well. But if you don’t know where to start with “you,” you can go to the one who made you and ask Him for wisdom and insight about how He made you! He promises us this…
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. – Psalm 32:8
He will help! It’s not very complicated to begin. For starters, here are a few things you will want to know about you.
Where to Start with Knowing “You”
- Rhythms. Are you a morning or an evening person? When do you have your best thoughts and focus? Try to schedule your writing times for those times. Not sure? Do a little experimenting to find out!
- Space. What places fill you with inspiration and help you FOCUS on writing? Do you need a special chair? A writing desk? A window with a view? Maybe to get out in nature itself? Or no view at all? Do you need perfect silence? Or some music? Or maybe the hum of coffee shop chatter? Need it clean? Need it full of art? Knowing what places and environments energize and focus you will help you set yourself up for writing success!
- Inspiration. What fills you up creatively, writer? Reading other great books? Being outside in nature? Deep conversations with friends? Enjoying great works of art? Experiencing new places and people and cultures? We all are inspired by different things. But as you begin writing, you’ll want to take time to “fill up” creatively. Knowing what your “watering holes” are and going to them will be a good habit!
- Routines. Writing is about focus and some of us need certain routines to be at our best. How much sleep do you need? What kind of foods truly energize you and help you think your best thoughts? How much exercise keeps you health and fit? What simple routines will keep life form interfering with your writing time? Consider what simple routines may free you up and fuel you up for your best writing times!
If this seems overwhelming, choose one area to learn and grow in. Then try a few things out. Make notes of how each attempt goes, and you will quickly begin to see patterns. Sometimes, what you discover will challenge you to break out of the mold and try something new—even if it scares you a bit. But can you imagine if George Washington hadn’t been willing to acknowledge his own strengths and weaknesses and take some very unusual approaches to war? We might not live in the same country! In the same way, knowing “you” is not just a key to your success…but to all those your and story will touch.
Now let me encourage you, writer—as you work to determine your starting point—to keep pursuing and seeking the One who designed you and His leadership as you go. You know why? Because He will show the truth about ourselves and the truth about Him in us. And when we acknowledge the truth—the truth will set us free. Because here’s the reality. We might not like our starting point.
Just like Jehoshaphat’s unwise alliances, or Washington who was better at running away than winning battles, or me as I recognized what seemed like stubborn inflexibility, as we are honest about who we are and where we are, we can begin to see the unique plans and patterns and solutions God has for us and begin to courageously step into the new thing He has for us.
Because here’s the final thought. Knowing “you” is really about knowing the One who made you and growing in that unique relationship with Him. Apart from Him we can do nothing! But with Him all things are possible! He will guide us in the workmanship he’s prepared for us, if we’ll trust Him. So, I encourage you today, take some time to prayerfully explore your design. Ask God for wisdom and keep an open mind! You may not know your starting point, but as you put it in His hands and move forward in faith, He will begin to reveal and to do some beautiful things in and through you!
#you #ChristInYou #design #strengths #weaknesses #unique #EveryWriterWriting
