THE PURPOSE WILL FUEL THE PROCESS

“Why?”

When I was growing up, this was the number one question my father taught me to ask. “If you don’t know the ‘why’ behind something,” he would say, “then there is no purpose.” I have come to discover he was right. In every arena of life, we must know the “why” behind what is being said or done or else all becomes meaningless, mindless rhetoric and response. Without purpose we have no reason for doing anything, and without a reason we will never have the zeal necessary to persevere and accomplish what we were made to do.

And nowhere is this more true than in the field of writing.

When people find out I have published a book, a reaction tends to follow that feels something between awe and wonder. “That’s amazing!” they breathe, “I could never do that!” The compliment is genuine and one I certainly appreciate, but sometimes I wonder if they aren’t putting me on some kind of pedestal: as if I am one of a chosen few dusted with a special pixie dust enabling someone to follow their dreams and accomplish their goals? And then there is the response, especially from young people, that makes me feel like they think I’m the latest J.K. Rowling: rolling in money and appearing on prime time talk shows. Don’t get me wrong, I love that idea, especially in the area of having her kind of influence with the stories I write. But being an author is not as glamorous as it sounds. It takes sweat, dedication, and an almost insane amount of time—certainly insane if you don’t know why you’re writing in the first place.

What many people don’t know about my own writing journey is that, from conception to printed page, Sengali: A Cat’s Tale was a seven year process. Four to write it, three to self-publish.

Seven years.

During that time I worked for my Dad’s ministry (which I still do), sold bridal gowns, took care of children, commissioned artwork, made commercials and short films, cleaned houses, watched dogs…basically whatever I had to do to earn money and make a difference, all the while trying to write a novel I wondered very much would ever actually be read. So many times I almost gave up: not because I wearied of the story but because the process seemed overwhelming. I loved to write, yet life seemed to always get in the way. And then there was that ever present, haunting question: “What’s the point, anyway? Does the world honestly need another novel? Wouldn’t I do more good being a missionary in Haiti or India or something? Why does any of this even matter?”

But the answer was always the same. Deep in my spirit I heard it: the voice of Jesus, clear and simple.

“Finish Sengali.”

Those two words sustained me throughout those seven years. They were my anchor point, my home base…my “why”. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God had called me to write Sengali: A Cat’s Tale, and that conviction became both the inspiration I needed when feeling discouraged and the driving force required to propel me across the finish line. For, my friend, writing a novel is a marathon not a sprint. The prize is not achieved overnight. Even authors who write far faster than I do will tell you to count the cost before embarking on such a quest. To succeed will require all you can give and more so you better have a good reason for it or you’ll burn out before the finish.

You better know the “why”.

I once heard a very successful businessman say, “If the dream is big enough the facts don’t count.” Writing requires patience. It requires perseverance. But if you have a strong enough “why” you’ll figure out the “how”. For me, I write for two reasons: because I know I am called by God to do it and because I want to inspire the next generation through stories. Your reasons for writing may be different. You may not even want to be a writer at all. But, whatever you do in life, ask yourself why you are doing it. What is the purpose behind whatever you give your time, money, effort, and heart to? And, once you find out that purpose, make sure it’s a good one. Your life is valuable. Priceless. Spend it wisely. God made you for a purpose. Find out what that purpose is and let it become your “why”.

Because the purpose will fuel the process.

“Therefore…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

– Hebrews 12:1 & 2

Live EPIC,

CHRISTIS JOY