Wait! It Gets Better

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).

A long time ago, I felt like God dropped the outline for a book into my head as I drove to work. An idea straight from God! No problem, right?

Wrong.

Frankly, I was clueless. I’d never written a book. Devotionals were my thing, the shorter the better. Most writers use too many words, but I struggled to find enough. A whole book was a stretch.

More than two decades later, the book is as yet unpublished. It’s still not ready. Why the wait? What have I been doing? 

Friends, I haven’t been doing nothing — I’ve been learning. Finding my unique voice. Exploring the business side of publishing. Creating a website. Developing a platform. Studying my craft.

Waiting isn’t wasted time. It’s preparation. It’s practice. I’m getting better at what I do.

Early on, I followed Proverbs 31 Ministries. When they launched COMPEL Training for Christian writers, I felt the nudge of the Spirit: This is for you. I signed up.

COMPEL Training became my waiting room, my place of preparation. I worked my way through the lessons and participated in the writing challenges. I joined a critique group, connecting with like-minded writers. I made dozens of new friends. I cheered their successes, and they cheered mine.

As for the book, I wrote, rewrote, deleted and rearranged — many times over. I even let it rest for a year. I wanted to read my old words with new eyes.

As I worked on my writing skills, God worked on my soul. COMPEL helped, with its scriptural foundation and spiritual perspective. I learned to take God’s Word seriously and craft my words around His. I now try to pray first and write later. I focus more on others’ needs and less on my own. I’m still working on humility, on the ability to accept correction with an open mind and a gracious heart. 

I am a work in progress, as is my book. And that’s OK.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).

Now I’m a member of COMPEL Pro’s Executive Volunteer Team, I help oversee the critique groups, and I write for this blog. I encourage other writers. This is all part of the good work God prepared for me before I had even a glimmer of the book.

Back when I was first inspired to write a book, I thought that was my purpose. COMPEL Pro didn’t yet exist, but God always knew it would be part of my story. The book is what got me here.

I haven’t given up on the book — it’s only gotten better over time. And I’ve gotten better. I’ve matured spiritually. Even if the book is never published, it’s been worth the wait.

Bless your words, bless your calling, and bless your wait!
Shirlee Abbott

Are you in a waiting room, feeling like your work is on hold? Take advantage of this time of preparation … You and your writing will only get better! 

Prayerfully consider joining COMPEL Pro Writers Training. If the Spirit is saying, This is for you, sign up.