“Freedom Birth a Dream”
Dear writer, I hope you had a good week and took time to get to know your future readers better! Now that we’ve revisited the importance of your unique design and of your readers as you start writing your book, we’re going to focus on how to finish your first draft.
You see, writer, it’s important to remember, all our dreams come in seed form. Allowing your dream to come out as it is, without critiquing or tweaking it, is an important first step in the writing journey.
After all, when a mother conceives, she has very little control over the initial formation of her child and its temperament. It’s only after the baby is fully formed and born that she begins to shape and guide the little one based on who she discovers them to be.
But before we dive into your first draft, let’s look at some others who embraced their dream in seed form and allowed that “first draft” to pave the way for God’s amazing plans for them.
First Drafts in History
Wilbur and Orville Wright are a wonderful example of two men who allowed their dream begin as a seed and grow. Having developed a love of the brand-new field of aeronautics, the Wright brothers began exploring and inventing their first flying machine as young and budding entrepreneurs. Basing their designs on the wings of birds, the Wright brothers’ first machine flew just a little over 852 yards in 59 seconds. Far from being discouraged, the brothers celebrated this first step and shared their success with others.
When Wilbur and Orville received cool and skeptical responses from American leaders and businessmen, they took their dream to France, where they received an enthusiastic reception for their work on the fledgling airplanes. By the time they returned to America, the Wright brothers had become wealthy businessmen with contracts to build their fully-functional planes throughout Europe and the US.
You see, writer, our first drafts—like the Wright brothers’ first flying machine—may fall far beneath our original dream. But it’s important to recognize the achievement of that first step for what it is and celebrate what’s begun to grow.
Firs Drafts in the Bible
Mary is another great example of a woman who embraced the seed of God’s dream for her. When the angel Gabriel announced she would become the mother of Jesus, Mary humbly embraced that God-dream and allowed God the space to literally birth that dream according to His timing, plans, and purposes. Though it seemed like most difficult circumstances, Mary’s willingness to allow God’s to direct that dream positioned her and Joseph for His supernatural provision from the visiting Magi, who found them under a certain star.
You see, writer, sometimes we may think we know what our dream should look like. But when we give God and ourselves the freedom to let that initial draft take its natural shape, we may not realize how God is positioning both us and our story to reach the most unexpected people.
First Drafts in Life
I embraced my first “first draft” when I met my husband, Jared, at Oral Roberts University. Though I felt no romantic attraction, I was immediately drawn to Jared’s passion for God and energy to serve His Kingdom and immediately wanted to become friends. We did became friends, very quickly…then good friends…then fast friends. But as I allowed this budding relationship to grow, it took an unexpected turn.
When we discovered—contrary to our plans—that we were in love, we had to choose whether or not we would yield to the sudden shared dream God was birthing between us. I am grateful we did! Through our surrender to God’s plan, He provided the very key to unlock those deepest desires that Jared and I each thought we could only pursue alone.
You see, writer, sometimes we think we know how to reach our destination. And we may not be wrong. But as we write our first draft, we enter into that beautiful and mysterious space of conception and co-creation with God where our stories, characters, or message may take a turn that is unexpected. As we are sensitive to His leading, we can recognize and embrace those God moments to open the door for Him to flow in and through our words and idea in unexpected ways. Because here’s the thing…
First Drafts in Your Life
It’s often in the place of quiet and surrender and freedom that God does His best work. After all, there is a reason a woman’s womb is fully enclosed. Imagine how we would tamper with and wear out the still-forming child with our well-intentioned attentions if we could access it directly! When first conceived, growing things need freedom to take on their natural shape. Let me show you…
- And he said, “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. – Mark 4:26-28
- I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. – Isaiah 45:3
- For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:13-16
- For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:8-10
You see, writer, writing our first draft is about allowing the thoughts and heart and story God’s given us to take its first and natural shape, so that we can gain a clearer picture of what He is working in and through us and our words. And then, understanding more fully, to help that dream grow.
Where to Start with First Drafts
So are you ready to consider your first draft? Here are a few things to keep in mind…
- Don’t Expect Perfection. In fact, gloriously disregard it. This is a time for complete freedom. Resist the urge to analyze or edit, and as much as possible. Allow the story to come out in its raw form. If it seems odd or untraditional, don’t worry. Some of the more unusual aspects may end up playing a critical role in your story or message.
- Be You. Don’t fret overmuch about grammar or punctuation in this draft. Let the words come out as you would say them. Often, a story’s best gems will be the ones that bubble up naturally from who God has created you to be.
- Stay Hopeful. Be sure to celebrate your successes along the way as you write. If you have someone you trust, who won’t criticize, but encourage you and pray for you through the process, sharing this stage of the journey with them can be invaluable to help you…
- Keep Going. There will be times when writing that first draft may become tedious, boring, or downright difficult. I encourage you: keep going until the draft fully written. Because here’s the thing: writing your first draft will not be a cakewalk. There will be moments when you are tempted to question your dream, your decisions, and maybe whether you should be writing at all. But here’s the other thing, writer…
It is our steady persistence in those early stages to allow our story to take its natural shape that lays the groundwork for healthy growth. Does that mean if you give in and start editing you won’t finish or that it will come out wrong? Not necessarily! But the key is to allow and trust God to speak into your book’s unique identity from the very start.
Because, at heart, writing your first draft is about coming to a place of humility, where you allow the Lord to birth in and through you all He desires, regardless of what that first step looks like. Sometimes, it may look like a 59 second flight when you’d hoped to make it to the next city…or state. Sometimes, it may look like a baby born in a cattle barn. Other times, it may look like a relationship that takes a wildly unexpected turn. But here’s the lovely thing…
As allow that first expression of our dream come through unfettered, we gain a clearer picture of God’s heart for His people in and through us, and allow Him to place us and our story exactly where He wants to touch the lives that needed it most.Just like He brought the Wright brothers to France before launching them into international success. Just as He positioned Mary and Joseph to be found by the Magi. Just as, by connecting us together, He positioned Jared and I for the future we thought we could only reach alone.
So I encourage you, today, if you are wrestling with a first draft—or first attempt at anything—don’t despair! Lean into the Lord and allow yourself and your story freedom to flow as He leads. After all, you never know how He may be using your unique and unusual journey to carefully position you for those He desperately wants to reach.
#freedom #birth #dreams #creation #persistence #EveryWritingWriting
