A short devotional by D. T. Powell
Many people—writers and other creators especially—wait for a certain amount of motivation before taking action. In cases like this, we depend on feeling to arrive before we do anything. Which means we often end up doing nothing, because feelings are fickle. They change, sometimes on a second by second basis.
Feelings are important, but we can’t let them define whether we do what God has asked us to. The Bible is full of people who didn’t understand God’s direction and certainly didn’t feel like doing what God had commanded. Sometimes those people chose to act in faith instead of going by their feelings. Abraham’s journey to Canaan, Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, even Paul changing the course of his missionary journey. All of them relied on what God had said instead of how they felt about it.
How does that apply to writing brave stories? Or being brave at all?
I write stories about brave topics because I believe wholeheartedly that’s what God wants me to do. But on a day-to-day basis, I have to choose to step out and write (or do other necessary things like get signage printed or make sure I have the right links listed on my social media page)—do the things God has asked, even when I don’t feel like doing them or lack the motivation to get anything done.
That doesn’t mean I don’t take time to rest, but it does mean I rest on purpose. This life is not our entire reason for existence. We have all of Eternity to be and do and live without sin to hamper us. So, spending all our time in this life pursuing what we feel like doing without regard for what God wants is a recipe for destruction.
If God is asking you to do something, make the decision to do it. Take a step in faith, knowing that He can see what will come of it, and He has a plan. Who knows? Maybe He’ll use what you do today to change the world for someone else.
Sit down and write a hundred words of that difficult story. Pick up the paint brush and put your foundational layer in place. Practice that instrument. Talk to that person. Say what God has asked you to say.
You may be terrified, or completely apathetic at first. And that’s all right. What matters is that we stepped out in Faith. We were brave, even when we didn’t understand or had no will to do what we should.
And when we act in Faith, Joy will come. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe not until Eternity. But Joy in Christ can never be silenced permanently. Yes, there will be hard—even impossible days. But they are temporary. Our relationship with God is Eternal.
Lean on God today, and take a brave step.
Proverbs 3:5&6 (KJV)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
More about D. T.:
D. T. Powell, author of the critically acclaimed, award-winning novel With Mercy’s Eyes, has delved into difficult subjects through fiction for over a decade. Her work in both fanfiction and original fiction showcases how God’s persistent light shines even through the darkest of moments. Her original short fiction has appeared in Writer’s Digest and various short story collections from small presses. Also, her many top-quality book reviews publish quarterly in Clean Fiction Magazine. She enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and the occasional video game. You can find her online as dtill359. Her favorite verse is Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
