Monday, May 15, 2017

Wait and See by Marianne Evans

Before turning in the other night, I read my daily devotional from Living Faith magazine and the theme for that day smacked me right between the eyes. I could literally feel God’s spirit—and conviction—in the air around me. The day’s topic? Wait and see. 

As far as I'm concerned, when streamed together, those are three of the toughest words in the dictionary.

The Scripture passage was taken from Acts 5: 34-35. There, the wise Pharisee Gamaliel, states his case about the Apostles and Christianity in general. To paraphrase the passage, Gamaliel says: If the mission of Christ is of human origin, it will come to nothing. But if it’s not of human origin, the world will find itself fighting against God. In essence, he’s saying, “Wait and see.”

I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of that lately in my writing life. Waiting for my stories to catch on to a wide, broad audience so the messages God gives me to share might help encourage, affirm, and bring about a Christian sense of love and honor to as many readers as possible. Waiting for story ideas to work their way from heart to head to computer keyboard. Waiting for what God truly wants next from me when it comes to my ministry as a writer.

It’s hard to do. I get impatient. I feel like ideas are wasting and can't fully formulate because I don’t seem to have enough time and energy to do and be everything I feel called toward. Then, there’s the wickedest thought of all: I’m not successful like “Author Spectacular” so my work must not be as ordained, or as blessed. 

Such circumstances make writing a tough proposition. On one level, I know the concerns are of my own very human creation. Meanwhile, God asks me to keep moving forward. To keep faith in the path He has laid out for me even when I don’t know the steps, and even when the path is uncertain.

Is my writing of my own origin/creation, or does it come from God, to serve God?

So often in life (and in our writing careers) change is gradual. We yearn for the speed of instant gratification and sure answers but life is evolution, and evolution doesn’t very often happen rapidly. It’s slow-moving, gradual, an unfolding that God uses to move us from spot to spot.

At this point, to be honest, I’m not sure of all the answers I seek when it comes to moving forward as an author, but I’m promised this: I was given gifts. In return for those gifts, Jesus wants my love and trust. I need to let Him have control and remember that even when I doubt, and even when I fail, He’ll use everything for His good.

Are you facing a 'wait and see' in your life? I'd love to hear about it, and share the journey! Until next time, blessings, friends!


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Nobody's Baby But Mine
Noah Talbert just lost his twin sister—his closest living relative—to a horrific automobile accident. Her death brings him straight to Angel Falls where he claims guardianship of his five-year-old nephew, Dylan.Elementary school counselor Charlotte Latherson is focused on Dylan's case for reasons both personal and professional. His mother was Charlotte's best friend, and the loss has transformed the once joyful and engaging little boy into a reticent, downtrodden kindergartner.Charlotte is well aware of Noah's history. Other than a close relationship with his sister, Noah's life has been solitary; he keeps to himself and builds strong walls of protection around a heart. Can he provide what's best for Dylan? At times they butt heads over the youngster's life, but as they struggle, God opens a loving pathway in their hearts. While Noah fights for a child he feels is nobody's baby but his, Charlotte wonders if the feelings they share can't create the bridge to a miracle.

~~~~~

Marianne Evans
Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.” Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.