Thursdays - Devotions for Writers
“But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.’” (Psalm 31:14 NIV)
I recently contemplated the Serenity Prayer and was moved by how it applied to my life not only as a person – but also as a writer. Last week we looked at the beginning, and this week we’re focusing on the second part of this meaningful prayer.
But first – take a moment to read and absorb the following words into your heart, mind, and spirit.
Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr
“Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time.”
Wow! That’s difficult, isn’t it? Many of us have a habit of living too much in the future. We think about what, where, when, and how something needs to be accomplished days, weeks, and even months in advance. We know better! We often want to do things differently. But, it’s so easy to get caught up in “future” without paying attention to what’s going on now.
When we do that, we cheat not only ourselves; we cheat our families and friends. Yes, we need to set time aside for writing. And we need to meet our deadlines. But, we also need to be willing to stop and spend quality moments with those we love. Living one day a time also means relaxing in the knowledge that God is still in control.
“Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;”
Just because we're striving to honor God through our writing doesn’t mean we'll have an easy road. In many ways it will be more difficult than if we weren’t serving through our creative gifts. The enemy has a way of knowing when and where to inflict hurts just when there might be a breakthrough for God’s people. There will still be struggles – emotionally, physically, financially, relationally, and spiritually. Trust that God is present in the situation with you.
“That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.”
All of what happens in your career is temporary. No matter how many disappointments –or successes - you experience in your own journey as a writer, remember to keep your eye on the real prize. One day we’ll be experiencing eternal life – and complete serenity – with Him.
Dawn
