Marching into Rest
Are you also amazed that March has already arrived? Does it seem to you that the longer you live, the faster life passes? Are you more conscious than ever of your need to get busy doing the Lord's work?
There are those who do things now and those who put things off until tomorrow. And there are those who do things yesterday. :) Which one are you?
The truth is that none of the above provides the best approach to life and to writing. The one word that describes our position as believers is REST.
Rest??? You may be shaking your head wondering what's happened to MaryAnn? If so, let me explain. :)
The believer in Jesus Christ is not called to strive but to rest. So how do we reconcile rest with writing? If we're supposed to rest, when are we supposed to write?
The answer lies in the definition of the word "rest". Rest as used in God's Word means that state of total trust in which we worry about nothing and rejoice in everything. It is that state in which we do our part and let God do His part. In other words, we let God be God and we don't try to usurp His role. Rest is the balance between making things happen and letting them happen.
When we are at rest, we look to God as our Source and to ourselves as totally dependent on Him. Rest is a wonderful place to be. Rest is a relationship of assurance in which we are not afraid to fall, knowing that our Heavenly Father is holding us in His loving arms.
Are you at rest today about your writing? Or are you fretting over a rejection, a work that's yet to be published after several years of waiting, or a fear that you'll never be published? If so, stop and take a deep breath. Then make a choice to enter into God's rest.
Yes, rest is a choice. Enter into it knowing that after you've done all you can do, God will do the "rest". :)
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Copyright 2007 by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D. All rights reserved. This blog entry may NOT be reproduced, reprinted, or published in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may, however, forward it to others, but please do so IN ITS ENTIRETY. Thank you for your cooperation.
Comments
I agree with Patti; this is a great message and one that needs to be heeded. Thanks so much, MaryAnn. I love the very last line.
Skye
MaryAnn,
You always have a fresh insight that speaks right to my need.
vie
Rest = Don't worry.
The hardest thing you will ever do. Including rewrites and waiting on an editoral decision.
I think the best thing we can do is write because we love the characters and the story. Because we're called to write. If we REST while writing, we won't worry. We'll enjoy every part of the process.
Easier said than done. HA!
One thing that has helped me along these lines is knowing that God has called me to write. Since He has called me to write, then He will order my steps in that respect, direct me, etc. I just need now to continue to trust for the balance in that 'rest'. Thanks, MaryAnn, and all the Musers for the encouragement:-)
Hi Mary Ann -
Thanks for the good word. It's a reminder I needed.
Being task oriented, I tend to get frazzled if I'm not accomplishing them as quickly as I'd like. I like crossing items off my to-do list.
One of my goals for this year includes starting a blog. The research phase is taking longer than expected. I'm learning patience in the process and determining what elements to incorporate into my blog.
Step by step, depending on Him for wisdom and direction will reduce course corrections later on.
I didn't get to read this till the end of my work day, MaryAnn, but it was worth the wait! I'm not at rest in my writing. I'm irritated that I don't get more done and that I seem so brain dead when I try to finish something. Your insight about worry relates to so many things going on right now -- I could bow my head just now and give it all to God. Thanks for the great way you let God use you!
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Wow MaryAnn!! Were you writing this just for me?! *grin* This is a message I truly needed to hear(read) and your timing was perfect! (Or maybe I should say God's timing?!). Thanks so much for your wonderful insights. Blessings, Patti