For Such a Time

by Maureen Miller

Why’s it taking so long?

This was my frequent cry. My frustration regarding my WIP’s publication process spilled
over like coffee in a Starbucks cup sloshing over speedbumps.

Similar to crickets from my content coach, God, too, often seemed silent. Over time, my inquiry changed. Is there a greater lesson to apply to my writing life?

That’s when He whispered to my heart—“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14 NIV)?

What did God mean? How did this apply to my writing journey? I was by no means royalty, nor were my words—no matter I prayed for God’s guidance—anything so powerful, impactful, to change a kingdom.

Or… were they?

Truth is, when God calls us to write His messages—woven with words from His Word, pointing readers to biblical principles in a post-modern society—He means business.

Once I realized this, the fruit of patience grew. I discovered the waiting wasn’t so bad
because I could trust God’s timing. In the waiting, He would use me to write other things for the
world. In the pause, He would help me apply what the wise Cecil Murphy encourages writers to
practice, especially in waiting—hone our craft.

It was in this season of delayed edits—those necessary (ahem) minor details prior to
publication—that I sensed the Lord’s nudge to throw myself into collaborative writing. Look for
ways to grow, He whispered. Be part of a team. Have fun. Your novel will be born exactly when I
intend.

That’s when another fruit—peace—settled in my heart. After all, what’s the saying? The
fruit of God’s Spirit is only developed when we face its antithesis. Perhaps I’m a slow learner,
but it was as if a light bulb burst to life.

What did I glean from this season of stepping away from my WIP—with trust, in
obedience—to write collaboratively; that is, to find ways to contribute personal stories to
anthologies with other writers, under a common theme (Chicken Soup for the Soul, for example)?

First, our stories offer an abundance of blessing only when shared.

That’s right. Our testimonies possess power when they’re told—with transparency, even
when our words include painful truths. Our experience becomes a healing balm, helping others
know they’re not alone.

Have you suffered addiction? Infertility? The loss of a loved one? The heartache of a
prodigal child? There’s a place to share your experience, included in a compilation of similar
stories, that God will use to exhort, encourage, and bring healing—for such a time.

Second, writing collaboratively not only encourages readers but writers
too.

While the goal of a compilation is to encourage its intended audience, the writers selected
for the collaborative often grow from one another, the connection between them a natural by-
product of publication.

I have friends—brothers and sisters in Christ—only discovered because of our kindred
connection through collaborative writing, though the relationship doesn’t usually end there. Many are now my friends beyond the book that first united us, and we enjoy time together—connecting at writers’ conferences, in online meetings, and social media—for such a time.

Finally, writing collaboratively hones our craft.

Each opportunity has its own set of submission guidelines. Following them, then writing one’s best in hopes to be selected for the compilation, stretches and grows us as writers. And that’s a good thing, to be applied in all areas of our craft—for such a time.

Eventually, I did return to my WIP, and Gideon’s Book was born. But what I know beyond doubt—God used the waiting to grow me as a writer, using each message to impact the world.

And fellow writers, He’ll do the same with you…

For such a time.

Maureen Miller is a storyteller with contributions in dozens of collaboratives. She writes for Guideposts and her local newspaper. Married to her childhood sweetheart Bill, they live in the mountains of western North Carolina. She blogs at Windows and Wallflowers, and her debut novel Gideon’s Book is now available.