Proper Perspective

Proper Perspective

by Alice H. Murray

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”

(Isaiah 55:9, NIV).

I fidgeted while waiting to speak with the writing coach at the conference. I had never utilized services like hers, and felt unsure whether I needed this session. I didn’t have writer’s block or a specific craft issue. My concern was the focus of my writing. I felt scattered, wanting to write about many different topics on multiple sites and in varying forms—including articles, devotionals, and blog posts. Was this diversity a problem? Was I aimlessly floating from topic to topic?

I took a seat at the table next to the coach and showed her my publishing history, pointing out the wide range of subjects on which I had written. By asking a series of questions, she helped me see a common thread in the pieces. From her experienced and objective perspective, she recognized that my goal in each creation was to educate and encourage. Relief washed over me as I discovered this concrete purpose throughout my writing.

After the session, I reflected on my new sense of clarity. Of course, God would have a specific purpose for the work he inspired me to create. From my perspective, I couldn’t see the connection between the varying pieces. But from his perspective, God was using me to educate and encourage readers. His perspective focused on the big picture: the effect my words could have on others on his behalf.

My time with conference instructor helped me realize that God serves as a writing coach, too. Even more, he’s a life coach. We often fail to see how various events in our lives are beneficial or connected. But his higher thoughts are focused on his purposes for each of us. If we want to know what his plans are for our lives—including our writing—we need to ask our Coach to make it clear, and then follow his lead.

Dear God, thank you for giving me the call to write. Help me to remember to always seek your advice and direction as both my writing coach and my life coach. Amen.