When did God whisper your dream to you? How did you know it was from Him? While attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC), many people asked how I got into writing. The truth is, I don’t remember a time when I didn’t write stories. The featured photo on this post is from my first writing conference. That’s me getting my copy of The Banza signed by famed New York Children’s Author, Diane Wolkstein. I attended the conference after winning the Young Authors Competition in third grade for my critically acclaimed work, My Pony, Snoopy.
But the moment I knew I had to write came in the fourth grade when Mr. Tiews read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis to our class. A delighted shock came over me as I heard how Lewis described Lucy walking through the wardrobe and realizing the crunch under her feet was no longer mothballs, but snow. I knew I wanted to create that kind of response in people.
It wasn’t Mr. Tiews or even C.S. Lewis that gave me that dream, though. They were just the whisper God used to awaken it in me. God places desires in our hearts that will bring glory to His name. He creates us with passions and talents that the Holy Spirit will supernaturally use to complement our spiritual gifts. It’s our responsibility to learn how to use those gifts, and the Lord’s promise to use them in a way that is beyond our human abilities.
Seeing that dream fulfilled requires our primary focus to be on our relationship with Christ. We then work our craft in response to that relationship—not the other way around. Consider what David wrote:
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Success comes from separating our God-given dreams from selfish desires, working to fulfill what He’s put on your heart in an ever deepening relationship with Jesus, and trusting Him with the results.
How did you hear the whisper of God’s dream for you? How has he confirmed that call, and how can you be drawn closer to Him through it?
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Thank you Joshua for reminding me why I write. It is not for myself although His words always rekindle my faith as well. He has given us a gift which can draw others to him. Our choices are do we use that gift or do we put it away. I almost lost my zeal for writing after losing my husband and best friend two years ago. But He has fanned the flames once again.
MaryAnna, you’re so welcome, and I greatly appreciate your comment. God’s purpose in any gift he gives us is to draw us closer to Him.
Joshua,
I appreciate your perspective: “Seeing that dream fulfilled requires our primary focus to be on our relationship with Christ.” This becomes difficult when we get caught up in achieving other aspects that are necessary to fulfill our dream. Remembering to keep our attention on Christ and our relationship with Him is vital as we continue on our writing journey. Thank you for emphasizing this truth so well.
In Christ,
Emily
Emily,
I’m so grateful for your comment. You’ve raised such a good point. We need to focus on Christ within each task on the way to our dream. When the Scripture says “…whatever you do, do it for the glory of God,” that also means all the Day to Day efforts of being a writer, from social media to photocopies.