Take on the New Year of Writing by Walking in Jesus’ Footprints

by Cindy K. Sproles @CindyDevoted

The end of the year tends to bring about a slump for most writers. We’ve worked crafting novels, stories, teaching materials, and articles all year. When the end of the year comes, we’re spent. Now, writers are looking at a new year ahead, and honestly, I get it. Putting the bum in the chair to work grows a little hard.

Don’t feel bad. It happens to us all. The way our industry works, we never seem to see a clear finish to the year. Projects are still rolling full steam; editing continues, and deadlines don’t change. We never seem to clip off December 31 and recognize January 1 as a new beginning.

It’s easy to grow weary, and as much as I want to say it, I’m not going to insist you continue writing daily. Instead, I’m going to recommend you give yourself a full weekend for renewal. Let’s do that by following the example of Jesus.

Numerous times, scripture tells us that Jesus went off alone. We aren’t sure all He did during those times, but we know that much of that time was spent in prayer. He talked with His Father. Jesus faced great stress daily. He knew He was not only battling to teach a new way but that He was also battling time—aka, in writing terms, deadlines. 

Writers tend to tell their peers to “keep writing” even when things are difficult. And I do agree with this when it’s kept in the context of our work. It’s easy to throw our hands up and quit when things aren’t going our way. When rejections pour in, or the hope of publication seems so distant, quitting seems the easiest way out. We become like mad kids on the playground who never win the race or are always chosen last. These are the times I say, keep on writing. When we give into frustration or failure, we stop growing and learning. So, in this case, I say, buck up and keep writing.

However, being spent is different, and it’s important that we look back on the life of Jesus and see that He afforded Himself times of renewal. We don’t know what Jesus prayed or did when He went off alone, but I can only imagine some of His prayers were of frustration, hurt, and physical times of exhaustion. Then there was that timeline, the deadline, that hovered over Jesus daily. Jesus went to His Father in prayer, and there He found the needed strength to move ahead—to meet the necessary goals before His deadline ran out.

There will be times when, as a writer, you are exhausted. You’ve given and given of yourself until it seems there are no more words. That’s why I used the word, spent. These are the times that you give yourself permission to close the door to your office and walk away for a day or two. Find that quiet place where you can meditate, pray, and seek after God. After all, He is seeking you. This is the time when you cry out, Abba Father, where are You in all of this? What are you trying to teach me? I can make this promise with full assurance. He will answer. 

Sometimes, our grip is so tight around the work that we say, “I’ve prayed and prayed about this,” only to realize that rather than allowing God to break the silence, you’re spending your time trying to break it for Him. “Maybe God is telling me no.” I say, maybe God is just saying, let it go, and I will answer when the time is right. A friend told me that sometimes we become so bent on the answer we want that the answer we need is posted on a billboard, and we just don’t see it.

My point is that renewal means letting go of the old and putting on the new. Wow, sounds like Ephesians 4, when Paul tells the people to take off the old and put on the new attitude.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

So, when you are spent, let go. Step away for a day or two and seek Him. After all, you do call yourself a Christian writer—right? If so, fall back on your Father. He’s great at the trust game. Catches you every time.

When you give yourself a couple of days to seek Him, then clarity returns. You may not have all the answers, and I doubt God is saying, “Stop writing.” I think it would be more like,

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 NIV

You are not immune to the frustrations of the world. Instead, those frustrations and insecurities become arrows in the quiver that you can pull out and fire onto the page. Those emotions and situations make good fodder for your work—great life lessons.

The point is, when you feel spent, follow in the steps of Jesus. Retreat to a quiet place and pray. Talk to God. Ask for a “new” attitude and “new” perspective, and don’t wimp out by putting words in God’s mouth. Be quiet and listen. Be still and know.

Then, place your hand on the office doorknob and turn it. Walk in. Sit down, put on a new attitude, and write. When you do, God will move in amazing ways because you are now in a place of submission. He can now work in you and through you because you’ve stepped out of the way.

You are a writer. Called by the Father. Gifted by Him. There are words you have not yet found, but you will when you allow Him to guide the pen. Rest in Him.

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Take on the New Year of Writing by Walking in Jesus’ Footprints from @CindyDevoted on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and she is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and WWW.CHRISTIANDEVOTIONS.US, as well as WWW.INSPIREAFIRE.COM. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at WWW.CINDYSPROLES.COM or www.wramsforwriters.com.