Unreasonable Demands of Writing by Tina Yeager

Unreasonable Demands of Writing

by Tina Yeager

“So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, ‘Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw.’ And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, ‘Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?’”

(Exodus 5:12-14, NIV).

The stars shimmer over us from the heavens. Their status in the skies required a tremendous amount of energy. Yet in the years it has taken for their light to reach us, most of them have died. Still, we gaze upon these echoes of bodies long since gone. And wonder at the cost of shining our own lights in the world.

Likewise, we admire literary stars from days gone by. Hemmingway, Wolfe, and Tolkien continue to illuminate our dreams of publication. Many of us pine for the days when talented storytellers submitted their work and publishers took care of the rest. But wishing upon the stars will not grant a future to our manuscripts.

Writers must still pour forth their talent and energy to craft God-honoring content. But we also need to build platforms, engage online communities, and promote our personal brands. Marketing demands seventy percent of the time authors once devoted to creative work. And as soon as our platform meets a target threshold, the industry raises their standards. We toil to learn technology, pursue publicity, and gather email addresses. In the scant time we have left, we summon the creativity to draft our messages.

As we endeavor to make manuscript bricks in this ever-expanding mud pit, we wonder if our work will amount to anything. Will we manage to build story-shelters with messages that point to heaven? Our aching limbs groan under the workload, so we pray for a miracle to raise our words up and grant them the power to shine.

Our Deliverer hears us. Our time in this draining circumstance may seem as hopeless as the Hebrews’ enslavement. But the Father always responds to the cries of his children. In his perfect timing, the Lord makes a way for those he has called to move on toward the promised land.

So as I struggle to build platform, market my brand, and complete all the other things authors must do, I choose to trust in my Deliverer. When I offer the Lord my meager time, energy, and creativity, he multiplies the stubble to provide everything I need. I believe he will set my words free to shimmer for his glory, perhaps to sparkle like the stars long after I’m gone.

Father, thank you for hearing my heart and caring for my every need. I’m so grateful for the deliverance you’ve already fulfilled through Jesus Christ. And I know you’re faithful to continue providing for me so I can move forth in the calling you’ve placed in my spirit. I cherish your support as I make these bricks of messages while gathering stubble. May my soul rejoice in you, Jesus, as we partner together to glorify your name. Amen.

Award-winning author, speaker, life & purpose coach, Tina hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast a YouTube channel, and the Flourish Today radio show. Founder of Divine Encouragement Academy, she serves with STRUCK the Series Streaming TV show and Word Weavers International. To connect with her, visit tinayeager.com.

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