This
is a thought that crosses my mind at least once a year. Sometimes it’s hard to
figure out if you’re doing what you’re supposed to as a writer. Doubt is always
there, lurking in the back of your mind. My rankings
are down, should I still be writing? My royalty check makes me blush,
should I still be writing? I feel like I’m letting my publisher, agent, etc…
down, should I still be writing?
Is
anyone even reading my books?
So
as I was once again re-evaluating if I should be writing (aka, I’m not feeling
like I’m successful and wondering if my life would be better served doing
something else), I had this thought: what if only one person ever reads my
books? Then I took it a step further. What if what I was writing was meant for
just one person? That God wanted me to spend my lifetime writing multiple
series for a person who I will never meet, but someday would need to read my
books because through those books God would change them? And not just one book,
but God would use all of my books to help that one person?
Would
it be worth it?
Would
it be worth all the hours I pour into writing, the sacrifices I make so I can
make time to write each day, the other “good things” I could be doing, but
instead I am writing? Honestly? In my flesh that thought makes me cry. Just one
person? But as I pondered this thought, I realized that God would do that,
because of that one soul.
When
we think of God doing above and beyond what we can imagine, we think of
grandiose plans and ideas. But what if God’s plans involve a lonely writer,
writing her heart out for the rest of her life, then connecting her books
to one person who needs to read those books—every single one of them—and
by reading them, comes to know God?
That’s
exactly how God would do things, because to Him the value of a soul is
priceless. He would do anything to reach another person, including using the
lifetime of a writer and all of her books to reach that other soul.
This
thought plagued me over and over again for a few weeks. What if only one person
ever reads my books? And not just one book, but will read everything I
will ever write, and by doing so will connect with God? Is that worth it?
Yes.
That’s
not to say sometimes I wish I had more to show for my writing, but when my
focus is on God, it’s then I believe that what I’m doing is not in
vain, even if it might be for just one person. After all, every soul is
precious to God. And that makes writing worth it.
How
about you? Are you struggling with what you’re doing? Do you wonder if it’s
worth it or do you want to throw in the towel? I can’t tell you yes or no, but
I can tell you anything you do with hands held up to God is never fruitless,
even if you don’t see the results.
~~~~~~
Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of numerous award-winning Christian fantasy and steampunk novels including her latest novel, Mark of the Raven, from Bethany House. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. You can find out more about Morgan at www.morganlbusse.com