“The Partnership that Grows His Glory”
Dear Writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and were inspired as you gained clarity about your identity and calling! This week, we’re going to explore the unfolding nature of our “why.”
You see, writer, our “why” and our vision, calling, and identity usually come to us as a seed. As a small simple idea that grows over time as we give it attention. And just like seeds of all kinds of plants and varieties, there are so many ways our “whys” can grow!
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others whose growing “why” shaped the course of their life’s work…
Unfolding “Why” in History
Dietrich Bonheoffer first took interest in theology after his brother died unexpectedly one WWI battlefield. With this germ of a “why,“ he pursued the answers to his sudden questions about life and mortality until that pursuit transformed into a fully fledged faith. A faith that he quickly understood demanded a response to sound the alarm against the rise of Nazism in WWII. Bonheoffer’s “why” continued to grow in shape and definition as he employed himself wholeheartedly to preserve the German church and rescue the Jewish people. Bonheoffer’s “why” ended in martyrdom, but it also left a resounding legacy calling the worldwide church to a living faith and that willingly suffered as Christ did to see His truth and love overcome evil.
Unfolding “Why” in the Bible
Queen Esther is another wonderful example of an unfolding “why.” When taken into King Xerxes court, Esther’s first “why” was simply to win the heart of the King. As queen, that “why” grew as she, with God’s help, then worked to win Xerxes favor—not just for herself—but for the entire Jewish nation in the face of Haman’s murderous plot to eradicate the Jews. After Haman was overthrown, Esther’s “why” grew further as, at Mordecai’s direction and instruction, she began to write laws to help protect the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire.
Unfolding “Why” in Life
My “why” began as a simple desire to demonstrate the truth in a way that people could understand and receive it. This goal spurred me on, at God’s leading, to write my first novels. As that first written story unfolded, that “why” became a desire not just for readers to see the truth but to—by encounter that truth—recognize where truth was at work in their own lives.
When a neighbor invited me to help run a Christian Writers conference, my “why” morphed again as I worked to help writers see the truth of God’s identity and call for them in a way that opened what had before seemed impossible. As a result, many have begun to write stories of their own, and the truth God put on my heart to share has opened avenues for God to reveal more and more of His heart through them.
Unfolding “Why” in Your Life
You see, here’s the interesting thing, writer. It was as God grew me that my “why” grew, too. And that’s often how it works. The best way to begin growing our “why” is to fully engage in the work we know God has currently given us. Let me show you…
- But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
- Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:12-13
- 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. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”. – Mark 4:26-29
You see, writer, while there are many things we can and should do to identify and grow our unique voice and “why,” there is a part of who we are that develops mysteriously in God’s hands as we move forward in faith. Because here’s the real deal…
Where to Start with Unfolding Your “Why”
Growing your “why” is really about growing in partnership with the Lord and with His Spirit’s leading as He guides you into the work He’s prepared for you. It’s about learning to hear and heed His voice and to recognize His unique imprint on your life and in the situations and people He brings to you. So are you ready to begin? Here are some ideas to get you started…
- Write Down Your “Why.” I encourage you to write down you “why” as you currently understand it. You see, we don’t really begin to own a thing until we’ve clearly articulated it. And it’s the same with your “why.” It’s okay if you “why” seems simple, small, or undefined. You are simply giving yourself a starting point to begin intentionally partnering with God in your unfolding “why.”
- Embrace Life. I encourage you to prayerfully review the people, projects, and activities God has placed in your life in this season. Identify and commit to fully engage in those things you know are from Him. This is a key way He grows and develops the root system of our “why.” If you’ll notice, it was as Bonheoffer, Esther, and I fully engaged with the things God had set before us that God built us up, spoke truth, and opened doors that more and more clearly defined who He’d created us to be and the message He’d given us to share.
- Pray Consistently. Start praying and journaling consistently about your “why.” Write about the things that stir your passion and the messages and people God’s placed in your heart. God always answers our requests for wisdom, and often as we come and pour out our hearts to Him and listen to what He has to say, the most amazing insights will bubble up.
- Take One Step. Things rarely grow in our life unless we’re moving forward in some way. So, I encourage to prayerfully consider what small step you might take toward your book or your “why.” Because here’s the thing…
It’s in the partnership of our passion Like any seed, though we intentionally plant, water, and weed it, the roots will only grow if the sun shines on it and the Heavens rain on it. In the same way, it’s only as we regularly enter the presence of God and pursue the current tasks He’s given us that His Spirit can breathe life into our “why” as He shapes our voice and calling.
Just like Esther’s pursuit of being queen prepared her to rescue her people and change the course of history. Just like Bonheoffer’s pursuit of answers in the face of tragedy led to a witness that calls believers even today to live lives of loving sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. Just like my pursuit of truth allowed others to experience God’s life-changing truth, too.
So I encourage you,today, writer, not to shrink back from your “why” though it may seem small. Move forward in faith! And I challenge you to embrace where God has placed you in now, even if it’s not where you’ll remain. As you do all things as unto Him, He will take that gift and cause it to grow His image and message in and through you, too.
#faith #seed #growth #keepgoing #EveryWriterWriting
