Who I Am Not by TonyaAnn Pember

Who I Am Not

by TonyaAnn Pember

“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.  Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistines”

(I Samuel 17:38-40, NIV).

Writers can access a plethora of instruction to guide and improve their work. I subscribe to over thirty newsletters and blogs from book coaches, authors, and publishers. Some I peruse, while others I delete after reading the subject line. Most experts advise studying the successful authors one hopes to emulate. I have always wanted to write children’s books, so I often analyze my favorite authors in this genre.

I drafted a promising ABC book idea in addition to the five children’s manuscripts I had already written. Despite a semi-famous author’s endorsement and much good feedback, none of my children’s books have been accepted for publishing. So, I continue writing while I pray for God’s direction.

On the other hand, my efforts have succeeded with an adult audience. I have a published book, many devotions on different platforms, weekly take-home papers for adults, and two pieces in Chicken Soup for the Soul publications.  Maybe I’m just not a children’s writer.

David wasn’t yet a soldier in the above scripture, but only a shepherd.  He didn’t know how to use a sword and had never used one to kill wild animals. He wasn’t a Saul who had different experiences and skills. He was David and had successfully protected his flock with more primitive methods.

As believers, we are created for our unique assignments. We each have a message and a method specific to our lives and we fail if we try to be someone else.

Priscilla Shirer, Jerry Jenkins, and Michelle Medlock Adams are fulfilling their calling from God. Others that you admire are doing the same. We can’t be them. We can, however, do what the Creator designed for our specific purposes.  Take the popular statement, “You do you,” and expand it to “You do the you led by Christ.” Be the author God designed you to be. Compose the message he wants you to write. The world needs you to live out your calling.

Thank you, Father that you have made me in your image with a specific plan for my life.  Give me the knowledge, wisdom, and strength to carry it out. Amen.

TonyaAnn is the author of Inside Story: 52 Weeks in the Word, a genre Bible reading plan with historical and cultural notes.  She writes for The Old Schoolhouse,  Chicken Soup for the Soul,  Power for Living, and CBN among others. An Oklahoma teacher, she frequently ‘guest teaches’ in her Colorado retirement. Learn more about her @tonyaann.com or TonyaAnnWriter @ Facebook/Instagram

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