“The Secret Strength of Abiding”
Dear writer, I hope you enjoyed your week and gave some thought to your current first draft! (Or first attempt at anything in life!) This week, we’re going to look at what to do when our first draft is complete and we’re ready to transition to the editing phase.
You see, here’s the thing, writer: once we’ve finished our first draft, it can be tempting to rush into revisions. But, I want to encourage you, there is power in pausing to celebrate and see all that God has accomplished in that first draft. After all, even a mother rests from her normal work for at least a few days after her baby is born!
In a similar way, when we take time to rest and pause after crossing the finish line on our first draft, it gives God space to refresh us and ready us to move forward with clear vision. But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others who embraced of the power of the “pause” in a way that transformed their work and lives…
The Power of “Pause” in History
One beautiful example of the power of “pausing” to celebrate was seen in 1621 at Plymouth Plantation as the surviving pilgrims paused after their first successful harvest to celebrate God’s goodness with their Native American friends. Though in such harsh circumstances, such a pause for such an extravagant celebration could be viewed as foolish, their simple obedience to rest and acknowledge God’s goodness established gratitude as a pillar of American culture as New Englanders perpetuated the tradition until Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1863.
You see, writer, when we pause in our work to celebrate all God has done, we are setting Him as Lord over our writing process and making space to hear His wisdom and receive His blessings as we move forward, just as the pilgrims did.
The Power of “Pause” in the Bible
Gilgal is another wonderful example of the power of “pausing” to rest. You see, writer, Gilgal is the place where the Israelites first entered the Promised Land when they crossed the Jordan River. As soon as they entered Gilgal, Joshua had the people set up twelve stones as a memorial of what God had done. And here’s the interesting thing: Gilgal became Joshua’s base camp. It was the place he and all of Israel returned to again and again between battles as they made their conquest of Canaan.
You see, Gilgal was a place to rest and to remember what the Lord had done, where the people prepared their hearts launch into the next battle with full strength and faith.
It’s the same with us, writer. When we take a moment to pause between drafts to rest, to remember, and to recognize God unique call on our lives and His miraculous provision, it strengthens and centers our heart and spirit for the journey ahead.
The Power of “Pause” in Life
I saw the power of “pausing” most strongly in when the Lord called Jared to take a sabbatical from his photography business. This business provided the lion’s share of our income…and also the lion’s share of our stresses. Though it wasn’t easy, Jared obeyed the Lord’s direction to stop actively promoting the business and to give away all its income for one whole year. And here’s the amazing thing…
As soon as Jared obeyed, the Lord provided a new position supporting overseas missions, while bringing more sales into Jared’s photography business than ever before. Though we gave all of that photography income away, God miraculously eradicated over $20,000 of debt for us that year!
You see, writer, sometimes stopping to rest and celebrate may seem difficult. We may feel the pressure of a publisher’s deadline or our family needs or the urgency to reach our readers. But here’s the thing. When we choose to celebrate what God’s done in our lives, it demonstrates our full trust in His leadership over the process and opens the door for His supernatural work in that process. Let me prove it to you…
The Power of “Pause” in Your Life
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- For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. – Psalm 37: 4-5
- Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. – Psalm 127:1-2
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
You see, writer, pausing to rest and celebrate is about taking time to actively maintain, grow, and rely on our partnership with God, recognizing that He is the one who ultimately empowers us to prosper. As we lean into those pauses for rest and celebration, it can help us maintain our heart posture of surrender that allows us to hear clearly and strengthens us to obey.
Where to Start with the Power of “Pause”
So are you ready to consider embracing the power of “pausing” to rest and celebrate in your writing journey? Here some ideas to get you started…
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- Celebrate the Milestones. Any time you reach a milestone in your writing journey, I encourage you to pause and truly rest and celebrate what God has done. Invite friends and family to join you! It could be a small party, a dinner out, coffee with friends, or something much more elaborate. Regardless of its size, celebrating with others can help clarify and refine what He is doing in and through you as you articulate it to others.
- Rest and Reflect. As you pause to celebrate God’s goodness, also be sure to take time alone to rest and truly reflect over all the Lord has done. As you thank Him, listen for His heart and the ideas that bubble up. Write down what He brings to mind. And be sure to…
- Set Up Memorial Stones. Sometimes in the rush of life, it’s shockingly easy to forget the good—and even miraculous—things God has done for us. I encourage you, like Joshua, to set up “memorial stones” of His specific goodness to YOU as His writer! A gratitude journal can be a fantastic way to do this. Sometimes particular items can serve as reminders of the special miracles God has done. If you keep a journal, regularly revisit it in your quiet times of prayer and praise. Keep any special items where you can see them daily.
- Be Generous. One of the most beautiful ways to celebrate God’s kindness is by showing a bit of that generosity to others. Not only does this remind us that our work is not primarily about God and His people, but as we pour into others, God often multiplies that generosity back to us in mysterious and unexpected ways. Because here’s the thing…
Learning to pause to rest and celebrate is about learning to live and walk in the beautiful economy of God’s Kingdom. The world rushes and frets, but as God’s people, our lives should be markedly different. One of the key ways we grow and maintain the hope, peace, and wisdom that come from Him alone is by remaining connected to the Lord Himself throughout the journey.
You see, writer, the secret power of “pausing” is really the power of abiding in Him and allowing Him to produce fruit we never could have imagined as we do! Because here’s the real deal: when we recognize the Lord as the chief architect of our lives and stories and allow Him space to lead us, He can create works through us that can have an impact far beyond us.
Just like millions of families have experienced hope, reconciliation, and rest through the American tradition of Thanksgiving. Just as the nation of Israel exists within its borders because of Joshua and his men’s faithfulness to maintain their dependence on the Lord. Just like God opened doors for Jared to do work that is changing nations as he surrendered his business—a business that is now, by God’s grace, still alive and thriving today!
So I encourage you, writer, if you are nearing the end of a first draft or another significant marker on your writing journey, take time to celebrate all the Lord has done. Take a minute to rest, to reflect, and to thank Him. As you reconnect with Him and His heart for you and the story and readers He’s given you, you never know what wisdom, clarity, and vision He will reveal, what fruit it will bear, and what impact it may have for generations to come.
#pause #rest #celebrate #remember #gratitude #EveryWriterWriting
This may be my first read of, and is definitely my first written comment(s) on A Good Word: Encouragement for the Journey.
Hi, I’m Ivan and I’ve been mildly interested in writing for a few years now. I was invited to join Janice’s Experiencing Writing workshop in summer of 2023 and actually attended it in the summer 2024.
I vaguely remember this topic being touched on at the workshop and was reminded of another pause I’ve been learning about in recent months, the DAP: the Divine Appointed Pause. This DAP is one that is set by God. It is designed to give us opportunity to seek Him and hear from Him in our journey. It can begin in different ways or at different times in our journey in life. A major life event, a tragedy, a celebration, or a quiet ah’HA moment can depict the beginning of a DAP. Now, although God often initiates a DAP, one can initiate a moment in time to seek God, a moment of crying out to Him and create an opportunity to allow God to intervene in your journey in a special way that might not have occurred except that one reached out and called on Him. They are not always big and grandiose. In fact, often times they are those still quiet moments of pondering and reflection that brings great solace or joy.
I am encouraged to make time for pausing and I hope you are as well.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing, Ivan!! Great insights! 🙂