2020! I heralded the year as THE YEAR
above all years. I believed that God’s blessings would abound; that prayers
would be answered. I knew they would. I prayed they would. I decreed and
declared they would. One day, early in the year, a smile danced on
my lips as I zoomed off for a special encounter, one dear to my writer's heart.
Once on the road, I discovered to my concern that I’d
taken a wrong turn. I was now heading in the opposite direction to where I was going. Oh no! What should I do? I turned left into the next street—performed a
quick U turn and spun back to the road I’d been on, retracing my route. Soon I was
back on track. Relief fanned me, like cool breezes on a warm summer's day. But I’d wasted ten whole minutes on that unnecessary detour!
I reached my local library with a few minutes to spare. To my dismay, I found the car park inexplicably full. Grrr! I drove around several times, searching urgently
for a park. I would be late. ‘Lord, help
me please!” And then … there it loomed ahead of me—an empty spot. Hooray. I slid in with a whoop of joy.
Thank you God.
I had chosen the busiest day at the library apparently—a
holiday program for kids was on. I reached the building for my 11 a.m. appointment—just
in time. The library’s personable Event Officer greeted me and we sat down to
talk. Despite the hustle and bustle around me and my frazzled nerves within,
the meeting went exceptionally well. Detour or not, sweet melodies now began to hum in my heart. Our local library was willing to organise the launch of my next
book ‘Sharing the Journey’. I was delighted to hear how well they’d
support me. They promised to even serve wine for my guests at no cost. Oh? Yes! Yes, please!
Afterwards I realised that perhaps my detour was a reminder that the year might
not flow as smoothly as I hoped! Plan for
detours, I told myself when I got home. Go with the
flow, Anusha. Dream on but expect the unexpected. Don’t be fooled into
thinking my plans won’t get messed up. I spent the next few weeks making goals and plans for 2020. Soon, I was ready for the year; I was ready to fly, to fly high like an eagle!
That was three months ago. I laugh today as to how naive I was! I did expect a challenge or two ... just not this level of difficulty! Did you? The vicissitudes the planet has had to face in 2020 have been unprecedented.
That was three months ago. I laugh today as to how naive I was! I did expect a challenge or two ... just not this level of difficulty! Did you? The vicissitudes the planet has had to face in 2020 have been unprecedented.
And by the way … on a
personal note, I had:
One Exciting Book
Launch - POSTPONED!
One Exciting New Dream
Job - CANCELLED!
A tiny virus which cannot even be seen by the naked eye has
romped across our world creating havoc, instigating whole countries to be shut
down, including our own! What does that say about us and how much control we have
over our lives and calendars? The illusion of humankind being Masters of our
fate is being fast stripped away; our dreams laid bare as we scrabble around,
trying desperately to re-organise our lives and to return to a state of normalcy.
“Who has measured
the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand
marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or
weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom
the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counsellor?
Whom did the Lord consult
to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? … Surely the nations are
like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales.” Isaiah 40:12-15
Part of me has been shocked at the way
things have turned out, as if I’m an actress in a pandemic horror movie. But another
part of me sees things a little differently. It has caused me to lift my eyes
in awe of the One who holds all things in His Powerful Hands.
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to
the heavens: Who created all these?” Isaiah 40:25-26
You and I will not last one day, one hour or even one single moment
without the mercy and grace of our Mighty Saviour. He cares for us every single
moment in ways we don’t realise. We often take it all for granted, so 2020 was
a good wakeup call of how much we need Him.
What does this mean for us
Christian writers? During the last few months, I have beheld God’s glory afresh as I’ve been made aware how
small I am and how little control I have over my life. I’ve also been made aware of the grandeur and
majesty of God. It’s as if I am a tiny ant. As long as I look at the mirror of
misconception and worldliness, I am magnified a hundredfold, so I strut around
as if I was the size of a giant human being and in control of the homo sapien world. Until … I see myself through the looking glass of reality! And that … changes
everything. I realise once more who I really
am—small, insignificant, and in need of a Saviour.
Thankfully, we have good news. Great news. Fabulous news!
The same God who created the world is a Good Good Father who loves us beyond measure. So let’s focus not on our smallness but on the immensity, majesty and splendour of our awe-inspiring Triune God. We Christian writers have been called by the Creator of the Universe to reach His world.
The same God who created the world is a Good Good Father who loves us beyond measure. So let’s focus not on our smallness but on the immensity, majesty and splendour of our awe-inspiring Triune God. We Christian writers have been called by the Creator of the Universe to reach His world.
If He has called us, our
calling must be significant!
He is the One Sure Rock who will not move in the shifting
sands of life’s insecurities. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, poetry
or prose, fact or fantasty, you have been given The Best Scoop of all—the
good news of Jesus and your Christian worldview! So … hold your head high
today. In spite of uncertainty and fear, sorrow and heartache, loss and pain, we
still have one thousand reasons to write. We can write for Him with joy and
hope in our hearts, inspired by the One who has called us.
Let’s fill the earth with stories
that bring glory to the magnificent Author of life.
that bring glory to the magnificent Author of life.
Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician,
a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity
director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark
moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for
Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see
others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her
world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her
theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.
Her first book Enjoying the Journey'' contains 75 little God stories that
will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2nd book ‘Dancing in
the Rain’ brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book,
‘Sharing the Journey’ is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey' and was released in
March 2020.
Do stop by at her website Dancing in the Rain to
say G’day!
Sharing the Journey: Elephant House Press
Book Depository
