by Ane Mulligan  @AneMulligan

Men—at least in my experience—seem to think driving is a competitive sport. If I’m going to be turning right, I drive in the right lane, moving to the left only if the necessity presents itself then return to the right lane. Vice versa if I’m going to turn left.

Not my husband. If he’s going to have to turn right, he will drive in the left lane until the last possible minute, then switch. Now don’t get me wrong. He’s a good driver. He doesn’t speed or drive recklessly. He’s just competitive. However, I find it nerve-wracking, waiting to see if he makes the lane change in time. 

Interestingly, he’s never missed a turn. But what if he couldn’t get into the correct lane in time? He’d have to make a U-turn and come back at the turn again. And what if he chose the more competitive lane again? Would he be in an endless cycle?

As I chuckled over the dilemma, the Lord nudged me. Uh-oh. I guess I was a little competitive when it came to writing. Sales numbers, contests, who is with the “big” publishers—are areas with which I don’t need to concern myself. Because if I do, I might find myself in the same endless cycle of U-turns, chasing the market instead of following God.

God needs to be in control of our writing. He has called me to write stories that fit my worldview and His calling and leave the results up to Him. I don’t know why He blesses some writers with awards or bestselling status and not others. The point is it’s His choice not mine.

“But isn’t that a cop-out for not being as good as another writer?”

No. If you have taken the talent God has gifted you and worked it, grew it, polished it, then you’ve done your part. God has a place for each of us. You might be the only writer who can reach a certain reader’s heart with life-altering words. If you get caught up in competing, you could miss the message God is whispering to you. 

I had a very successful few years as a lobbyist for Christian Coalition back in the early 90s. I had no background in lobbying, but anyone who knows me will tell you I can talk. My first day on that job, I had to testify before a Senate Judicial Committee. I had no idea what to say or do. That night, the Lord told me to write the information I had, present it and leave the results to him. That advice served me well that day and has continued to serve me. 

Follow God’s leading and leave the results up to Him. You’ll be a happier writer.

Ane Mulligan has been a voracious reader ever since her mom instilled within her a love of reading at age three, escaping into worlds otherwise unknown. But when Ane saw PETER PAN on stage, she was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. And so, by night, she’s CEO of a community theatre company and by day, a bestselling, award-winning novelist. She lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and The Write Conversation.