7 years ago, God placed my feet on an amazing path – the magnificent journey of becoming a Christian Writer. I have never looked back. Not because of the financial rewards… or rather the lack of it! Not due to the fame and prestige… or the lack of that too. Not due to any worldly benefits … can you think of any? But as all of you my fellow writers would testify – the fulfillment I receive from being a writer is huge. Enormous. Vast. Gargantuan. Mammoth. Epic. Mammoth. Collosal………………Have I said enough?
Yes, I am honoured and blessed to be called a Christian Writer. I am thrilled to be part of a creative community who are Image Bearers of our wonderful, awesome God. The benefits of being one far outweigh any negatives. And then, there are also many perks of being a writer – some which I sometimes don't even recognise. A few years ago, a publisher friend persuaded me that in order to be taken seriously as a writer, I needed a platform. She said my writer’s platform must include a weekly blog. I balked at it. Not that I didn’t like the idea of blog writing. I just didn’t like to add yet another deadline to my already busy schedule. It would be another chore to add to my To-do list each week!
After much thought and prayer however I realised that blog writing was part of the writer’s package. I knew that in order to obey God, there was no way around it. And so I surrendered to Him. In the next few weeks I got busy. I had fun creating my website, ‘Dancing in the Rain’. On the 27th of February 2012, I shared my website (and blog site) with all the world. It was a joyous day. Since then I have written blog after blog after blog. It has actually enriched me. It’s brought a new sense of purpose into my life.
A few weeks into my blog writing, a friend wrote that my blog always encouraged and inspired her. She said she looked forward to reading it every Monday. I was humbled. I was blessed. I was encouraged by her words. And a light went off in my head. From that day onwards, writing my weekly blog was not something I did because I had to. It was because I wanted to. It was a way of honouring God. And of blessing others. Having the right perception and the right attitude made all the difference.
Blog writing wasn’t just a boring chore I had to perform. Instead it became an exciting task with which I could bless God and His world. There was more. During the past few months my world was turned upside down. My church based job which I was very passionate about was whisked away from under me and I was forced to resign. As I grappled with the situation – I found myself floundering in a difficult season of grief and loss.
But guess what! I had still had one job that continued. Yes, that of writing my weekly blog. That ‘boring chore’ now became my lifeline. As I struggled with feelings of failure in my working life – it blessed me to know that there was an area where God still needed me. I was not worthless after all. My once “boring chore” became the joyful focus of each week. It brought meaning to my existence. It kept me going. It blessed me in more ways than one. And I hope blessed many others too. Thank you God. Thank you.
Are you struggling with any tedious aspects of the writing journey that you don’t enjoy? Like editing? Or marketing? Or something else? Let me assure you that the boring aspects of your writing journey may one day become something vitally important. What I've enjoyed most in my blog writing is the connection I have with others. I love hearing from readers how my blog blessed or helped them in their day to day lives. What a great thrill it is when God uses our little offerings and multiplies it for His kingdom.
He doesn’t ask that we reach perfection. Just that we strive at excellence.
He doesn’t demand impossibilities from us. Just our surrender.
He doesn’t force us to do things that are too difficult for us. He desires we obey Him.
Boring? No …wait! Let me rephrase that. Not a boring chore any longer. A joyful task that I offer the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. After all, He’s given me the privilege and honour of sharing His heart with His world. It can’t get better than that, can it? Is God calling you to something today? Do you have a list of excuses as to why you can’t do it? It may be worth your while reflecting on it as you view it through God’s eyes.
One day it may turn out to be your lifeline. And one day the world may resound with praises to our King simply because you obeyed Him.
Anusha Atukorala is passionate about God, His Kingdom, His world, all who live in it, His amazing creation and of course about WRITING. Her first book 'Enjoying the Journey' is a book of little God thoughts and life lessons about every day life. She, like her writing is a work in progress. Do pop into say G'day to her at her website 'Dancing in the Rain.'
What an encouraging word, Anusha (as always). It's great to see how your obedience to God has been such a blessing to you and others. He'll reward your faithfulness - I'm sure He already has in many ways, but there'll be a whole heap more. I especially love your three reminders:
ReplyDelete"He doesn’t ask that we reach perfection. Just that we strive at excellence.
He doesn’t demand impossibilities from us. Just our surrender.
He doesn’t force us to do things that are too difficult for us.
He desires we obey Him."
That's something for all of us to ponder. May He continue to bless you richly as you serve Him with your writing. xx
Thanks so much Nola for your (constant) encouragement. Thank you too for sharing this awesome journey we are on together. We are so blessed not just in having a calling such as ours but also having others (like yourself) walk beside us to enrich our lives. Thank you. xox
ReplyDeleteHi Anusha,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the loss of your job. What a disappointment. But what a blessing that blogging regularly is no longer a boring chore. It's great to hear from people who share their encouragement, but we never know how many readers are quietly blessed when we faithfully plug on.
Thanks so much Paula. Yes, it was such a great disappointment since I felt God's pleasure in what I did - that of helping people and sharing His love with them - praying with many who didn't know the Lord. So it was very bewildering why I lost it. Thanks for understanding. And yes, it's true that hopefully we bless more people than we realise - all we need to be is to be faithful to what He calls us to. What a blessing it is. Thanks Paula.
DeleteHi Anusha I can understand the disappointment of losing the ministry that you were passionate about. This is something I faced a few years ago due to a variety of circumstances and I know how it can lead to self doubt. But I've learnt God loves to bless us and gives us new dreams (or shows us the value of old ones) in the midst of the great disappointments in life. I too am glad for the opportunity to write for Him. And I'm sure your blog has encouraged not only the many people who have taken to time to tell you how much it means to them, but countless others. May God continue to work with and through you. I love your irrepressible joy in the midst of difficulties.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jenny for your caring words. Thanks for understanding too - since you too have been there - you know what it is like. Yes, you are right Jenny - often God's blessings are masked as difficulties and trials aren't they? I have been led to a new church which has been blessing me so - and that is one precious positive out of this season of loss. I have no doubt He will bring more as I trust Him. Your encouraging words blessed me, so thank you. xox
DeleteThanks for your lovely, honest blog, Anusha. I'm sure your writing blesses not only many readers here but also God's heart as well. I think you write from a full heart of love and praise for God and that is what makes your blogs engaging and a blessing to others. You know, one day when we meet the Lord, I think he will say to all of us who write for him: 'I saw all those long hours you sat at your computer, trying to put those sentences together to bless and speak to others. I know every word you wrote--and I have treasured them all!' And that's what matters. God bless!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jo-Anne for your beautiful encouraging caring words. I like the picture you paint - of God telling us that He sees the long hours we spent on front of our computers as we seek to obey Him and to bless His world. Yes, that IS what matters, I agree. What greater thrill in life that pleasing our beloved Lord and Saviour. We are blessed indeed. Thanks Jo-Anne.
DeleteI feel like saying 'ditto' to all these comments. Yes, Anusha, we feel we know you personally through your comments and your uplifting blogs. And as we're all going and growing through life's journey we know the Lord Jesus is leading us. And that always means through the valleys as well as the pleasant meadows. Like it says in Prov.3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't trust in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths."
ReplyDeleteHi Rita,
DeleteThanks so much for your warm and loving words. I am very glad you feel you know me through what I share. That's great. I do agree that we grow through the valley seasons even more than the seasons in pleasant meadows. So true. I also liked the verses you quoted in Prov 3:5,6 which were verses God gave me years ago when I needed some promises to hold onto. I did - and how those verses have blessed me time and time again as I've leant not to my own understanding but on Him alone. Thanks so much for the loving reminder.
So encouraging! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Karen. You are most welcome! :)
DeleteA joy and delight to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. Bless you for your encouragement. :)
DeleteThanks for the encouragement Anusha. I'm struggling with the whole 'editing thing' at present.
ReplyDelete