by Rachael Colby  @RachaelColby7 

It seems some missed the memo that most worthy endeavors require hard work. I find writing mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausting. It’s exhilarating too—but that usually comes after the exhaustion. Writing is time intensive and demanding, but it’s worth it. Life happens. Sometimes we can handle only small steps and bite-sized pieces, but they get us where we’re going. Rather than blazing speed on the Autobahn, we may need to walk the slow country road for a while.

Performance is a tough taskmaster, but accomplishment motivates me. When hindered by health, life’s dramas, distraction, or procrastination, I become discouraged and lose motivation. This lowers productivity and leads to depression and apathy—which makes it hard to write. A vicious cycle. That’s a good time to say, “Help me, Jesus!” for as He says, “without Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)

This is a spiritual battle, so when we miss the mark, or the mark we set for ourselves, the enemy, Satan, tries to sap our strength and sideline us. “Sss-surely this isn’t the path you were meant to take, or it wouldn’t be this resissss-tant,” his liesare like a heavy wet blanket—hard to breathe, see, and get from under.

Get up anyway! Carry on soldiers, don’t rob the world of you. The apostle Paul said in Ephesian 6:17 that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Wield His sWord. Our voice matters, word-warriors.

“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38 NKJV)

Labor of Love

Writing is like being pregnant.

It is often uncomfortable.

Sometimes you have false labor.

You get sent back home,

Until you are ready,

Until it is time.

There is more making to be done.

Writing is like giving birth.

Giving birth is painful.

It is hard work.

It is bloody.

But then a child is brought forth.

The future has come.

And life meets life.

Something eternal is born,

And the world is never the same.

What did God call you to do? Did God change His mind? Did He tell you to stop?

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29 NASB)

The inclination to abandon unfinished work reminds me of those who habitually break up with the person they are dating to protect themselves from rejection and failure. It’s one thing to set something aside for a while and work on another, but another to abandon our work. Fleeing our duty doesn’t save us from failure. Sometimes, in my efforts to self-preserve, I self-sabotage.

There are two choices when battle weary or knocked down: we give up or get up. Get up and fight. Stand up and write. Write about the chaos, write from the low and empty place. We can pour out our heart, our frustration—empty our prayers on the page and cry out to God to be filled. Sometimes our struggle is God’s strength and enduring training, equipping us to help others.

We don’t have to like everything we create. What if our resistance to put our work out there delays the message someone needs? It’s possible to make peace with our work when we give it our current best and remember the reason we write is to minister to others.

Friend and fellow writer Holland Webb posted this question: “What does it take to become a world-class writer?”

My response: God’s call, good instruction—lifelong learning, a teachable spirit, fellowship, and mentorship of others on the writing road, time, and practice, practice, practice. Even then, it’s a maybe for arrival at the destination called world-class writer. But we can have certainty of success. Real failure is quitting when called to carry on. Sometimes it’s the struggle that builds the strength to accomplish the task. Success is obedience to God. Our part is faithfulness—the results are up to Him. Little is much when we yield ourselves to God’s will. So, at any minute, we can begin or resume success by following Him.

Jesus isn’t surprised by where we are; that’s right where He meets us—not in the past, or where we think we should-have-been-by-now. It disheartens me when someone steps out of the race. But when we push past adversity, it inspires others to go a little farther, reach a little higher. Quit quitting, get a grip, and get ahold of God. If He has called us to it, then we better get to it.

Charge to the Writer

Write out of your passion,

Write out of your pain.

Write out of your trials,

Write out of your triumphs.

Write out of your hurt,

Write out of your healing.

Write what matters.

Write what ministers.

I falter. The enemy chants, “Quit, quit, quit.” God’s Word quiets the din of doubt, and I rise again.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV)

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (I Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV)

Rachel M. Colby has a heart for reconciliation and a passion to uplift those who serve in tough places. She writes to connect cultures’ questions with Christianity’s answers, inspire faith, and motivate.

Rachael is an award-winning writer in the categories of articles, poetry, devotions, essays, and children’s picture books. Her work has appeared on Southern Ohio Christian Voice, Inkspirations Online, Christian Devotions, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog, in the compilations Creative Writing Journal: Faith Inspired Writing Prompts & Hope-Filled Poetry, Defining Moments: Memorable and Inspiring Stories from Outstanding Leaders, The Courage to Write: 62 devotions to Encourage your Writing Journey, and in the Oak Ridger newspaper.

This Jamaican-born wife, mom, beach bum, artist, work in progress, makes her home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She runs on copious amounts of coffee and chocolate and a whole lot of “Help me, Jesus.” You can connect with Rachael on her website, TattooItOnYourHeart.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram