Peace in Uncertainty

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Using visuals to plot out my story scene by scene
I've been using my free time to job search and work on my story. I had planned on just re-typing my first draft that I wrote a few years ago. However, when I re-read it, I decided to scrap just about everything and start over again. I spent almost two days planning out all of the key scenes for my story. I am hoping that this time I have it right. I used the prologue from the original, making a few tweaks, and I am currently writing the first chapter.

I have been (slowly) reading through John Piper's book When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy, and lately I've been reading through the chapters focused on prayer. It's been changing a lot of my views on prayer (in a good way!)

I read through 1 Thessalonians recently and verse 5:16-18 really stayed with me:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I love that I happened to read through 1 Thessalonians at the same time that John Piper talks about it in his book. Coincidence? I don't think so.

I guess I'm writing about this because I have so much peace and joy right now that I want to share it. I'm unemployed, looking for a new church, living in a new town, and yet I have this calm assurance that things will work out. That doesn't mean I'm sitting back waiting for a job to fall into my lap, but during this uncertain time, I'm confident. It's a peace I can't explain by worldly standards. A confidence I couldn't feel without Christ. It comes through prayer, through scriptures, through understanding the God of the universe through a unique, personal relationship.

It's also infused my writing. I forget sometimes, in my humanness, in my sinfulness, that any talent I have comes from God and should be surrendered to Him. I've been learning what that means. I am a writer who is a Christian. Everything I write comes from Him, and I want it to honor Him. It's why I'm trying to write with purpose on this blog, with integrity in my personal writing projects. In a way that brings honor to the Lord and reflects His glory.

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