Write2Ignite

OUR EFFORTS

Writing takes effort. Hours and hours of effort. And I’m not simply speaking about writing the words of a manuscript, but I’m also thinking of other types of energy: researching, editing, building a platform, marketing, and more! The truth is that no matter how far along you are in your author journey, there will always be a NEXT STEP that seems just…out… of…reach.

GOD’S WORD

A few weeks ago, a close friend of mine sent me a Youtube video of a song she had been listening to frequently. One of the lines quoted in the song was from Zechariah 4:6, “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord God Almighty.” 

When I first listened to the song, my mind thought immediately of my writing pursuits–my toil and effort, sweat and steam, edits, revisions, and rewrites. I pictured all of it swirling into a big bubble cloud over my head. As I read that Scripture over and over, it was as if the Scripture caused the bubble cloud to burst, and I could finally think more clearly. I felt the Holy Spirit impressing on my heart, Stop striving in your own strength, Mindy. It is NOT by might, NOR by power, but by the SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD. The Scripture changed my heart and changed my perspective. I’m so glad my friend took the time to send me that song and verse. It ministered to me in a profound way.

As I have continued to reflect on this verse, I see how it can also apply to many other areas of life besides writing: medical issues, aging parents, relational issues with family, problems at church or at your employment, financial struggles…etc.

YOUR REFLECTION

I would invite you to take a moment and reflect on your own situation.

What God-sized problem have you been striving to fix in your own effort? Why not trust God to work it out in HIS way in HIS timing with HIS supernatural power? 

God Problems Lyric Video by Maverick City Music featuring Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine

Mindy Baker resides in Indiana where she is a high school Spanish teacher. She is the author of Mouse’s Christmas Gift, Zonderkidz 2018, and will have contributions in several 2023 and 2024 Guideposts publications. She recently signed a contract with Chicken Scratch Publishing for a middle grade novel to be published in 2025. You can connect online with Mindy here. She also has a mini-magazine for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of children. You can sign up to receive it here.