Psalm 16:8-9
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure.
Whether we welcome it or not, change is an inevitable part of this life. Some changes are forced upon us, i.e. learning a new technological skill or accepting a transfer in order to maintain our jobs. Others a re life-altering: the birth of a child; the death of a loved one; a move to a new home; a divorce, a diagnosis of cancer. Still others convince us of our lack of control over our own destinies: the savage tornado that destroys our property; the woods we played in as children cut down and leveled to entertain a shopping mall, a childhood home razed for the sake of more modern and upscale abodes. All change affects us in one way or another, but whether we choose to regard ourselves as the victims of change or view change as an opportunity for greater possibilities in our lives, is up to us.
My consolation through the many changes I have either endured or welcomed with relief is knowing God is steadfast in His everlasting presence and love for me. He is the same today as He was yesterday and will be for all the days to come. When we keep our eyes always on the Lord, no matter what events, tragic or blissful, stir the pots of our lives, we can rest securely in His peace and promise. Whatever changes occur her on earth, we will not be shaken!
Readings
Psalms 16, 17 or 22
1 Samuel 17:17-30
Acts 10:34-48
Mark 1:1-13
Hi Martha! Keeping my eyes on the Lord, keeping my eye single and meditating day and night on his Word has taught me that only he is unchangeable. Focusing on him 24:7 changes US from faith to faith, from glory to glory. I find great comfort in knowing him, and understanding that he is the rock on which I stand, and that all other ground is sinking sand. Thank you for this wonderful meditation that has served to remind me of the one thing that matters most.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you pursuing publication of your first novel? As a fellow writer I too have crossed this bridge, having completed a novel myself. Blessings, and all the best with your writing career.
Hi, Debra,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind, thoughtful comments! I am so sorry, but I deleted your facebook request before I saw your post; could you send a second request, please?
I am trying to establish a "writer's presence" through this blog before sending out another round of queries to literary agents; the first go-round was not at all encouraging, and I know that the market is glutted right now. I will be glad to keep you updated on how this is going.
Have you sought out a literary agent? I'd love to hear more about your novel!
Blessings back to you and thank you for taking the time to leave such great comments here!
Martha
This is what I'm doing too: building an online platform, as I was advised to do back in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who published her novel with Simon and Schuster, and she’s the one who said agents like to see that you already have a successful platform. In essence, you have to sell yourself first before they’ll take you seriously. I have done a good bit of publishing in magazines and literary presses, but my first novel sits in a manuscript box in a hall closet for now. But that’s okay because, being process driven, I’m still writing away on other manuscripts – which I’ll most likely publish first.
One way to build an online platform is to establish a good rapport with writer friends who blog. Some of my readers of course aren’t writers, but most blog. If you don’t happen to have many friends who are writers, just connect with those who do – like me :) I will tell you that it involves a good amount of work in the beginning. Here are some things I’ve found most helpful.
When you get good comments on your blog, take the time to respond to the comment – as you did here.
When someone leaves meaningful feedback on your site, go over to theirs and return the kindness.
I’ve been in the blogosphere for less than a year now, and have established solid online friendships.
When I read that you are a fellow writer – and a Christian – my heart was joyful.
Oh, your words of encouragement are giving me great joy, Debra! It's funny that I heard the same thing about the successful platform last February, but I wasn't sure how to go about this with the blog I was keeping about once a week.
ReplyDeleteGod does work in mysterious and wondrous ways! I have a writer friend (self-published) who knew what I was going through and suggested that God's will at this time for me might be through my blog. I accepted the advice, but just didn't know how to go with it. Amazingly, several weeks later, I heard that still, small, yet overwhelmingly convincing voice say, "Write a daily devotional".
Debra, I have to tell you, I just KNEW this was the right move for me. I was so excited about it, that I woke up a 1:00 in the morning thinking it was 6:00, ready and raring to go! God said it was okay to get some more rest, that this was going to be a blessed project, and He, as always, was right.
Every day when I sit to ponder the readings assigned, I get butterflies of anticipation and excitement in my stomach wondering, "What will God have me see in His word today that I can share with others?"
Your blogging advice is awesome, and I am so glad that I am already doing this. I am overjoyed that you contacted me and I look forward to staying connected on Facebook and through our blogs.