One of the pleasures of being a writing conference director for twelve years (yes, twelve!) was encouraging fellow writers to answer the call to write—those initial stirrings that may have come many years before—while the writer waited for the right time. Perhaps for children to get to a certain age, or maybe the courage to risk stepping out. One wise author called this the Freshman stage. It was exciting to see those writers develop their stories, devotionals, and novels that would eventually come into the hands of readers who needed a message of hope. Writing conferences can also serve as a wake-up call for exactly how much work will be required. For every writer who succeeds, there’s a path of hard work, focus, and dedication. It begins with a decision to take our writing seriously. In Hebrews 12:1–2, the author encouraged the Christians, who may have been tempted to drop out because of persecution, to “run with perseverance the race marked out for them, keeping their eyes on Jesus who had endured the cross and now sat at the right hand of God.” Likewise, the writer’s life is a long-distance run, not a short sprint. .
Are you following a call to write? I pray you will run with perseverance the race marked out for you.