The Importance of Taking Time to Refocus My life as a Writer and a Christ-follower

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. (Psalm 51:16 HCSB)

I don’t know about you, but I’m a doer. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to help myself. And while I have made some improvement over the years, unless I’m really focused, I’m going to judge my day, my progress, even my worth, on the things I’ve accomplished.

I know in my head that a check mark by everything on my to do list isn’t synonymous for how good I’m doing. Unfortunately, I just can’t seem to get my feelings to switch over to this way of thinking. This unhealthy outlook permeates every part of my life, especially spiritually. I keep acting like I can win God’s favor by doing more. 

There was a time in my writing life when I was working seven days a week. I was writing blogs, publishing articles, writing and submitting manuscripts to be turned into books, etc. I was a busy bee for God's kingdom. But my busyness had changed my focus of being with God to doing things for God. Inevitably that kind of pace and focus ended with me in a pile of exhaustion and chaos. 

And that was when I admitted to God that it was time to refocus my life. 

From my collapse, God rebuilt me from the ground up. He showed me that being a Christ-follower has its emphasis on the state of being verb, rather than an action verb. 

God has always been more interested in the process rather than the product.

I came to understand that God is relationally, not task oriented. Whatever needs doing, He can do. He uses us to accomplish His will—not to keep us busy or because He Himself doesn’t have the time. He allows us to join Him where He’s working because of the relationship.

God wants to spend time with me. He wants me to be so familiar with His voice that I can instantly hear and respond when He calls my name. But when I fill my life with things I have to do, my focus drifts, as things and tasks capture my attention and draw me away from the relationship.

So I've learned to be constantly adjusting the focus of my life. I'm looking at the person of God and making sure my plans including spending more time with Him, instead of for Him. Today I'm inviting you to join me!

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through her camera lens. She’s a writer who feels lost without that device & an unexpected speaker who loves to encourage an audience. She also embraces the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. She knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences & workshops around the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Cares eries & reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts. Her blog, The Write Conversation is recognized as one of the top 101 industry resources. 

She and husband Kirk have been married 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Connect with her on her website, WWW.EDIEMELSON.COM and through social media.