@CindyDevoted

Last week completed my 2019 conference travel. I’ve traveled to 8 conferences. A total of 7k miles. I always dreaded the travel itself, but once I’m there…I love it. Writers Conferences are places where those of us who are “quirky” know that others understand that.

As I look over my appointment sheets from the season, I met with 544 conferees one-on-one – even if I was sick. I performed 32 critiques and 12 mentoring sessions. In those conferences, I taught 22 different classes, did a keynote and an author breakfast speech. I ate (give or take) 201 meals, prayed for over 1500 conferees and 19 conference directors and their staffs.

Finally, I sold 324 books of my own and pushed countless others that belonged to my peers. Out of all that, I came home with special connections to 5 conferees that I chat with via FB and email. I’ve even posed several physiological questions such as…does it really matter if the i comes before e, except after c (really…does it? I’ve yet to hear a logical response)…or “Is there a reason they don’t make metal sporks.” Why are plastics the material of choice?

This is not to toot my own horn because when you break it down, it wears you out. It’s to show you what happens when God calls us.

This writer path was one I prayed for, but not one I truly expected God to oblige. Yet, He has. What an amazing calling – one that I sometimes fear. Can I do this, Lord? Am I good enough? Well of course! God placed your abilities and His belief in you, long before you were hidden in your mother’s secret place.

When we become writers we begin to shape the lives of others one word at a time. Though there are times we do fear or doubt, we have the God-given desire and passion to write. God tells us to be servants, to have joyous hearts, and to not worry…basically he has our backs. There’s no need to worry or fret, He has already placed within us, all we need.

I am a writer, and though I pen stories, I cannot control life (which messes with my internal desire to organize). Still, God has my back, even when I feel at my loneliest or most incompetent.

I love Rich Mullins’ song Elijah…where he talks about when his days are over he wants to go out like Elijah, with the whirlwind fire that fueled his chariot. I want that too. If in all this “stuff” I do for Him, when my day comes…let me go out like Elijah, having said yes to His call, making every effort to be obedient (even though I fail at times), praying I have pleased the only one who really matters.

After all…isn’t that what it’s all about? So after a long soak in a hot bath to ease the introvert in me, I can look back, ask myself the question…did I do my best and did I do it with obedience and humility? I think so.

That’s the question you must ask yourself too. Are you fulfilling the call to write and all the opportunities God has provided you as a result? To quote a very fine writer, Alton Gansky…”your work may be only meant for the person sitting next to you.” Whether it be a huge calling or small, have you said, “Yes, Lord.”

This very long reflection comes to an end with gratefulness and Thanksgiving. Yearly my ministry partner, Eddie Jones and I, ask the question, “Have we made a difference?” The work we do may not always produce immediate harvest, but then, that’s not what God is really asking of us as writers. He’s asking us to till, plant, and water. The harvest is His.

As this summer season draws to an end and we prepare for the bitterness of winter, have you made a difference with your writing? Have you shared it with a friend or someone in need? Have you answered the call and obeyed?

My prayer for you as you enter this next season is that God will continue to provide opportunities and stories. That you will be tuned away from the world and focused on Him so that He might help you plant the seeds of words that will change tomorrow.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the cofounder of ChristianDevotions.us and the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us and InspireaFire.com. Cindy is the managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, both imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is an award-winning and best-selling author and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.  @cindydevoted