The Tasks That Overwhelm
I can still hear my editor's voice over the phone. "How do you feel about radical revision?"
Gulp! "Lord, give me strength and ability to accomplish this. I feel overwhelmed."
I prayed that last night while I contemplated the editing task stretching before me. I often pray for wisdom in finding a story's theme, developing its characters, and especially for a publisher to notice my work. But with a contract deadline looming, reality sets in, and I'm faced with the monumental task of fitting my story into the shape my editor envisions.
It's times like these when Romans 12:3 strikes stark-raving home. "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment..." As my editor's cyber pen leaves little critique balloons popping up all over my pretty white pages, highlights point out passive voice or "telling", and suggestions for structural changes imbue the plot, any lofty notions I've held about the perfect grandeur of my work go flying right out the window. I feel a bit overwhelmed, and I'm reminded that my gift and desire are raw, in continual need of growth and sculpting.
While I don't believe it's a time or even godly to succumb to defeat (after all, I am about to have a novel published) I am overwhelmed by the work yet to come, and all within the time constraints of a deadline.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed -- by deadlines, assignments, lack of time or knowledge, the submission process, rejection, marketing, or editing -- as I do?
Confidence comes from God in the form of humility, trust, and hard work. In answer to my prayer, He gave me these reminders:
Philippians 1:6
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Proverbs 25:9
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way."
"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way."
Ecclesiastes 9:10
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."
Dozens more verses pour into my thoughts. His voice reminds me that He will guide me through this process as I remain dependent on Him and willing to work. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Pray for His strength and direction. Seek His counsel and trust His plan. Be humble and diligent in the task before you.
Psalm 32:8
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing this, Naomi (and Salena). I'm just 6 days into my first romance novel and the project looms huge over me. I'll remember these verses as I write and again should a publisher ever request a major revision. I appreciate you sharing your journey. God Bless!
Thanks for stopping by, Jan. May God bless you as you dive into your task. We just keep pressing on, knowing that He gave us our desire to write. We do the work, and He manages the outcome!
Naomi, great post and love all the scriptures you pointed out. I pray you meet your deadline, and with God's help, you surely will. Blessings, BJ
Thank you B.J. You're a great encourager! God bless you in your endeavors, too.
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