The “Promised Land” of Writing

How do you feel about the state of your writing? Does it seem you have been wandering in the desert waiting for something miraculous to happen? Do you feel you are on the edge of something; anxious to move into what God has called you to do – to enter into your promised land?

Many of us know God has called us to write. We know He has abundant blessings waiting for us when we are obedient to His call… but we just don’t feel as though we are moving into what He has planned for us. So, how do we do it? How do we move into the writing God has planned – our “promised land” of writing? We need to make time to do two things: Consecrate ourselves and listen to the words of the Lord Our God.

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites have wandered in the desert 40 years, but God decided it was time for them to enter the Promised Land. They are preparing to take hold of the blessings that await them. But before they can enter, Joshua tells them to do two things.

Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:5 NIV

Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. Joshua 3:9 NIV

Matthew Henry in his Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible says:

(verse 5) “See what preparation we must make to receive the discoveries of God’s glory and the communications of his grace: we must sanctify ourselves. We must separate ourselves from all other cares, devote ourselves to God’s honor, and cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.”

The NIV Life Application Bible notes a purification ceremony was performed before making a sacrifice or before witnessing a great act of God. Do you want your writing to be a sacrifice to God? Do you want to see a great act of God in your writing? Consecrate yourself. Are you not sure which direction to go in your writing? Listen to the words of the Lord your God.

Matthew Henrys’ Commentary also says:

(verse 9) “He now tells them, at length, by what way they should pass over Jordan.”

God gave specific instructions to the Israelites on how to enter the Promised Land. He will give specific instructions to us, too, if we will listen. He will guide us in our writing to exactly where He wants us to be. He has a place waiting just for us. A place flowing with his blessings. God wants to bless us. He wants others to be blessed through us and our writing. That is why He has called us to it.

You may have been “wandering around” in your writing attempts for some time. Consecrate yourself and listen to Him. Then you really will be one step closer to moving into your “promised land.”