I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us?Why take a second look our way? Psalm 8:4 (The Message)
We writers are an insecure lot. I’ve had the privilege to spend this week with some of the most talented writers I know, and we hadn’t been together for an hour before this truth was apparent. It was almost like the combined weight of our fears collapsed a dam and all our recent failures and set-backs came rushing out.
That first evening was partially spent catching up. But the majority of the time seemed to revolve around reassuring each other that, no matter what the world said, we hadn’t mistaken God’s call on our lives to write. We shared the heartaches of recent contests with poor scores, vicious critiques and missed opportunities, all with self deprecating laughs and tear-filled eyes.
We bound up each other’s wounds, hurts and injuries. Many had been inflicted without ill intent, but left their marks none-the-less. It’s all part of the process, the journey of becoming. But what joy and relief it was to come together with others who understood. And that was the crux, feeling heard and validated.
As I considered this the following morning, it hit me that there is One who always understands, who feels our pain, empathizing without pity. We can turn to Him, in any instance, at any time, and find ourselves safe. I want to share my prayer for each of us.
Dearest Lord, I pray for my fellow writers today, that each of us, even as we’re reminded of our own inadequacies, would view our blessings in light of your sovereignty, goodness and mrcy; resting in the unfathomable fact that you have ordained this. It’s not that we’re good or worthy—or even here by mistake—but that you have a purpose for each of us. Please remove our focus on ourselves and replace it with a whole-hearted devotion and renewal to serve you...however uncomfortable the calling.
