Listen to God is My Agent – He Said
The best-selling book, The Day of the Jackal, was turned down with the comment of “no reader interest.” The book has since sold eight million copies. The Diary of Anne Frank was rejected 15 times and called “very dull,” with unfamiliar characters who bickered like a typical family. Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen was rejected 140 times. And Carrie by Stephen King? Rejected 30 times. The story goes, after the final rejection King threw the manuscript in the trash and his wife fished it out.
What does it mean to wait for God? One of my favorite sayings goes: “God is good, God is great. God is slow but never late.” This is actually one of mine. God spoke it to me one evening during a Bible study fellowship lecture. For me, that saying speaks volumes. Not because of its commentary on God’s character, but on ours. We live for the moment; God lives for the ages. We want success right now; God wants us right with Him. We imagine what we can see and hope God will give us our dreams. He dreams of a time when we no longer look to Him as the giver of gifts and blessings but as simply, Lord.
A while back I threw my hands up and said: “Alright, Lord. From now on, You’re my literary agent. You want me to write books, then land the book contracts. If not, no big deal. I may not be especially happy to “just” write devotions, but I’m happy writing for you.”
Last week Zonderkids offered me a three-book deal for a middle-grade mystery series. I have a literary agent and a dear friend, but it’s God who truly represents my interests. He represents yours too.
When faced with the urgency of “now,” consider what it means to “wait upon God.” We are not called to sit and do nothing, but to wait. Wait: as in serve Him. Wait: as in serve others. Wait as only a servant can when he works with all his heart to do the work to which his Master calls.
Wait upon the Lord with the skills you have and the passion He’s placed in your heart. In doing so you may find His eyes and ears are roaming the earth looking for other ways you can serve Him.
