Get Ready
by Alice H. Murray
(Joshua 1:2, NIV)
My cursor hovered over the “publish” button. For hours I had struggled to create an author website. Composing text to describe myself and my creative work was easy; mastering the technology to produce a home for this information challenged me.
As I clicked the mouse, I held my breath. Arrgh! Another glitch occurred. A painstakingly crafted page disappeared. My laptop taunted me with technological challenges.
I shook my head in frustration and muttered, “Why?”
This question was not directed at the failure of my web building efforts but at the need to even attempt building such a site. Creating this author website was a required task in the process of getting published—or so I had been told.
In writing, as with other areas in life, we must prepare for and work toward attaining our desired goal. For writers, the goal is the “Promised Land” of publication. We get ready for publication by building a platform and creating a social media presence. Crafting words is only one part of the publication process.
The Israelites, led by Joshua following the death of Moses, also experienced frustration in the process of getting to their Promised Land. They wanted to hurry and reach this destination. Getting there, like achieving publication, required preparation and effort. The Jordan River blocked the path to their new home. Literal steps were required for them to set foot in the Promised Land. God would fulfill their dream, but the Israelites had to do the work to receive what He had promised them.
Why should I think God will drop publication in my lap without effort on my part? Even the ancient Hebrews had to get ready for the land flowing with milk and honey by taking steps towards it. Just as the Israelites trusted God to get them across the Jordan, I know I can trust Him as I prepare for publication by building my website and platform.
Lord, give me strength and wisdom for the part I play in the blessing you have for me. Help me work to get ready for that Promised Land of publication. Amen.
Alice H. Murray is a lawyer by profession and a writer by passion. She writes a weekly blog, https://aliceinwonderingland.wordpress.com/, is a staff writer for adoption.com, and has written articles for various websites and publications. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup For the Soul and the Short And Sweet compilation books. Alice’s new author website is https://authoralicehmurray.wixsite.com/website.
I am going through that process at this moment and the Lord gave me that exact Bible verse to get me going. This is definitely a confirmation that I’m going in the right direction. Thank you!