For the last few months, I’ve felt a foggy confusion hovering over my writing journey. I’ve pressed on, kept banging on the keyboard, and had a couple of encouraging things happen, but not really the kind of breakthrough I’d like. I’ve surrendered my writing journey to the Lord, so I’ve felt peace knowing that He’s in control of the outcome, but I’ve started to wonder if I’m pursuing the right things or if I’m pressing on toward a giant distraction.
When I start feeling that way, my first response is to do a systemized assessment and make an action plan accordingly. But it feels like my plans aren’t getting me anywhere, and honestly, they’re starting to suck the life right out of me.
A few weeks ago, I came across this story in Joshua 9. Basically, the Israelites were at war. God had instructed them to conquer their enemies and take possession of the promised land. With each new enemy they encountered, God would tell them exactly how they were to fight. Sometimes, He said to march around a city and blow trumpets. Sometimes, He told them to divide the troops for a surprise ambush. At times, they could take plunder from a city, while other times they were forbidden. But God always gave clear direction, and when Israel obeyed, they conquered every enemy they faced.
The people of a nearby town called Gibeon heard what the Israelites had done to all the other surrounding towns. Naturally, they were afraid, so they devised a plan (hmm, that sounds familiar…feel some fear, devise a plan). They loaded donkeys with cracked wineskins and worn-out sacks of moldy bread, put on old clothes and patched sandals, then went to Israel’s camp and presented a dramatic speech. “We’ve traveled from such a distant country,” they said. “This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.”
Then they asked Israel to make a treaty of peace with them.
The next verse is what punched me in the gut. “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” (Josh 9:14) So they agreed to the treaty with Gibeon. It wasn’t long before Israel figured out they’d been duped, but they had sworn an oath, so they had to live with the consequences for years thereafter.
This story made me evaluate my own life, especially the writing compartment of it. The Israelites relied on their own observation and knowledge, then took action without once asking God what they should do. How many times have I done that?
So now, I feel convicted to take my questions to God.
- Am I pursuing the stories He wants me to tell?
- Am I writing in the genre He has chosen for me?
- Should I be pursuing publication in this season or focus more on honing my craft?
- Should I enter this contest? Go to this conference?
My list of inquiries could go on forever, but He wants us to seek Him. I just pray He’ll give me the grace to wait, to be still, and to resist taking action until He answers.
Your turn: What questions should you be asking God?
