Moses's Ad-Lib Routine by Peter Leavell

“Mr. Leavell, I don’t know if I should write! Has God called me to write?”

The God of Abraham, Moses, and King David is your God, too.

No pressure.

I mean, it’s not like God wants you to create a real universe, but you are to serve—we truly want to serve—but how?

Because figures in the Bible showed God their faith by doing…what? Creating a nation? Leading that nation to the promised land?

What are you called to do? Have your first child in your 9th decade? Write a work comparable to the Pentateuch while listening to the complaints of over 1,000,000 people on an extended camping trip?

Like I said, no pressure.

It’s lovely to hear that God’s on our side and wonderful to know His power, but these stories are hard to translate into action. Why?

We don’t really know exactly what we’re called to do. Called to be, maybe. However, not many of us had a prophet of God tell us we’re the next King or Queen of anything. Are you kidding? I can barely convince anyone to put the seat down after going to the bathroom.

Moses~Envato

In fact, preachers explain predestination and expound on knowing God’s will. But reading the Bible, I get the idea that the characters are kind of making it up as they go while getting vague directions from angels/prophets/God. For example, God in a burning bush telling Moses to free His people was a rough outline—there was a TON of ad-lib Moses was going to need to do. No wonder the he was nervous.

You asked an important question at the beginning of this blog. That’s the right question.

Past is predestination. Future is free will. And I’m stuck in the middle with you.

So…what? How then shall we find our way?

—Read the Bible until you know it back to front. I’d love to hear your excuse why you’re not doing this, because it’s invalid.

—T.S. Eliot claimed the great maxim of the Greeks—'Know Thyself.' Learn who you are, what you like, what your skills are. They’re gifts. Use them. Enhance them with prejudice.

—T. S. Eliot also claimed at the end of his life that it’s not so much ‘Know Thyself.’ Rather, it’s ‘Know Thy God.’ If those words don’t move you, I can do nothing more.

—Don’t sin.

—Is there a path for you? Indeed. Are you sure to know what it is? Not really. Not until it’s over. You know ALL the verses. But I’ll tell you a secret. Even the most God fearing, successful people are making this up as they go. That’s the Spirit for you, helping, prompting, directing. But not all of it. Not everything. It wouldn’t be called faith if you knew everything.

So, ask me again. “Mr. Leavell, has God called me to write?”

If you ask the question, what do you think the answer is? You’re asking because it’s a desire of your heart. A prompting.

So, go write. With everything you've got!

The end.

Am I called to write? YES! Could it be that easy? #seriouslywrite #writerslife @peterleavell

Is God calling me to be a writer? #seriouslywrite #writerslife @peterleavell

Past is predestination. Future is free will. And I'm stuck in the middle with you. So should I be a writer? #seriouslywrite #writerslife @peterleavell

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and currently enrolled in the University's English Lit Graduate program, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. A novelist, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

They That Wait by Wondering Heart

There comes a time in every writer's heart when they doubt their calling. Today's post is a little different than most you'll see on Tuesday's. It resulted from a discussion I had with another writer, who chooses to remain anonymous, after a post on our blog recounted someone's journey to publication. So, after a long discussion, I asked this person to share those thoughts with you. I know there have been many times I've felt this way. Perhaps, this post will speak to you, too. ~ Angie

Words that pierce my unpublished heart: "I just signed a contract. The publisher wants my novel. I won the contest. I never wanted to be a writer, but God wouldn’t let me go."

I’m happy for those authors, I am. I know how frustrating the writing life can be, and by God’s grace, they’ve reached their goal. But each time I hear those words, my hope flakes like paint on a beach house abandoned by the shore. After too many years, I can’t voice the questions anymore, but they’re there, hanging in the silence between me and my Savior.

Why, God, why? When I feel the call to write so keenly, why do the doors remain closed? When I’ve longed for that moment, prepared for it by studying the craft, writing and rewriting, submitting my work to critique groups as I should, why do others cross the line while I lag behind?

When I hear those words, I offer my congratulations. It’s the right thing to do, even if doubt drenches me like a summer rain. I understand it’s a long process, and I know if something is meant to happen, it will in His time. I’ve been told so often, the phrase has lost its encouraging edge.

However, the question is no longer when but if. Does God really  want me to write, or have I misinterpreted my own desires as His?

Like others discouraged by the process, I once decided writing wasn’t God’s will for my life. I sold writing books and threw conference recordings in the trash. Not long after, I was drawn back and promptly quartered. Critiques were returned bathed in red. Judges’ comments arrived with barbs that hurt worse than a cortisone shot to the spine. Once again, the questions rose. I developed a rebellious attitude and said, no more! And once again, I was conscripted, and I found myself an indentured servant to a career that drives me batty and to a God I love, but whose plan befuddles me.

To those of you experiencing this angst, I’m sure you’re expecting encouragement at this point. But we’ve heard it all, and our heads know it even if our hearts are confused. The truth is none of us knows if we’ll experience that moment of conception when we sign our name on that line, and then, at the end of the publishing gestational period, we’ll hold our baby in our hands. To avoid the heartache, we can quit the business, even if we can’t stop writing. We can say no, Lord. It’s too much. We can’t take the pain anymore.

But if we find the call irresistible, we need to move forward with the understanding that if God did call us to this life, He’ll use our work as He sees fit. So let’s settle in for the long haul. This may take many more years, my friend. Press on. Keep the faith and keep writing. God may use us in ways we never expected.

Have you ever felt like Wondering Heart? Have you ever quit writing? What, if anything, made you start again? Comment below and let's start talking. 

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Wondering Heart's journey is similar to that of others in the field. At a young age, she felt the call and throughout her childhood, she wrote short stories, cheesy poems, and a better version, of course, of her favorite movie. The opportunity to focus on writing on a full-time basis arose during her adult years, and since that time, she has written articles and short stories, won one contest, almost won another one, and calls the rest a learning experience. She is a member of ACFW and has volunteered on occasion for the organization, and Christian Writers Guild.