Our choice: Rise to greatness or wallow in mediocrity

“It is in the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected of him.”  —John Steinbeck

These words greet me twice a week as I prepare to push myself in physical therapy. Though a lot of energy is going into keeping track of reps, making sure each of my muscles are in proper alignment, and focusing on breaking past the mental block of anticipated pain, this quote still finds room to rattle away in my brain; as do all the other inspirational quotes and pictures of world-famous athletes surrounding me.

This week I happened to look at my bookshelf after returning home and realized Steinbeck had it right. Each story I cherish begins with ordinary people who became heroes because they recognized there was something they had to do, and that the fate of their world depended on it.

Bilbo Baggins chose to join a quest so quickly he forgot his hat and handkerchief at home. He went head to head with a dragon and lived to tell of it. His nephew decided to take on the task of destroying the ring Bilbo “won” in a game of riddles. He lost more than his finger, but more than his life was saved.

Pastor Dedrick Bonhoeffer set aside his life in order to stand opposed to the evil he saw coming out of the leadership of the Third Reich. He was executed just before the Allies freed Germany, but his life continues to inspire and the writings he never “perfected” impact countless lives each year.

And little Hellen Keller learned she didn’t have to have sight to see or ears to hear. Instead, with a little help from Anne Sullivan, she found a way to live vibrantly rather than wallow forever in the dungeon of “Life’s not fair.” And our world is a better place because of it.

Whether real or created, each of the individuals represented on my shelves captured my attention and admiration because they chose the path of the impossible, recognizing there was no other way to move forward in their lives.

That’s when it occurred to me: If it’s in the nature of man to rise to greatness when greatness is expected, then the reverse is also true.

It is in our nature to wallow in mediocrity if mediocrity is all that is required of us.

I’m not sure why it is that way, but so many of us, myself included, can be trapped into believing we have nothing of value to offer the world.

We’re not educated enough. Not attractive enough. Not driven enough. Not bold enough. Not strong enough….

And so like John Watson at the beginning of the BBC pilot of “Sherlock,” we sit in a chair and sullenly state, “Nothing ever happens to me.” Little do we understand that is only true so long as we allow it to be.

Is there an opportunity waiting on your doorstep today? Is a little choice knocking that has to potential to become a great adventure? Let’s stop hiding in the pantry chewing on the food of discontentment and mediocrity and throw the door wide open!

Yes, the road to greatness is filled with hurdles, hurts, trials, and disappointments. But there is a payoff at the end.

On the other hand, the cupboard of mediocrity houses only discouragement and regret.

A Declaration of Conviction

“…Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.” –The Declaration of Independence

When thinking of the document that marked the beginning of our nation, our minds often bring to the forefront the Continental Congress’ declaration of certain inalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. We forget about the weight of responsibility, the careful consideration of intent, and even the evidence of men wrestling with an impossible choice that colors each and every word on the page.

The Echoes of Conviction

As I read through the Declaration of Independence in its entirety again this morning I was struck by the power of a conviction so strong it is still palpable after more than 200 years. These men had come to a difficult decision, they made their case before God and men, and although they were ready and willing to do what they saw they must, you can feel the ache of sadness and the overwhelming desire that the situation did not warrant the course of action they were about to embark upon.

I can’t see the Founding Father’s faces. I will never be able to interview them on their thoughts as they drafted, penned, and signed such an explosive document. And I don’t need to. Everything I need to know is already on this page.

Which left me wondering: Should any of my writing survive centuries into the future would my words capture the depth of my convictions, or would they simply be letters on a page?

The Quandary of the Writer

It’s probably safe to say at some point every writer has thrown hands to air and moaned, “Why would anyone ever want to hear what I have to say?”

Whether it’s after a particularly difficult day of writing in which the internal editor vetoes every sentence or it’s the result of receiving another “pass” on a project, there will just be those days when we wonder why we even bother.

A dear friend of mine faced one such moment during a difficult critique session. Afterwards one of the members of the group stated that she would never purchase a book dealing with the written subject. What made it even harder to hear was that the critiqued piece dealt with something the writer had difficulty facing herself in the first place.

Questioning our purpose isn’t limited to just writers. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah is dubbed the weeping prophet for a reason. There was little that happened during his lifetime to rejoice over. He spoke the words he was called to speak and was ignored, rebuked, and rejected by his people. In a fit of despair he even accused the Lord of trapping him in an impossible position.

He lamented, “…if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, indeed, I cannot. (Jer. 20:9 NIV)

As writers we all face moments in which we have to answer for ourselves if our calling is worth the heartache and pain.

It’s one thing to write for entertainment; however, the words that ultimately hold the most lasting value are those which hold up a mirror and cause us to look at uncomfortable things about ourselves and the world in which we live.

Words that reveal a truth we may not wish to see.

As a result, there will always be someone who, intentionally or not, will cut you down. There will always be moments we look at our work in progress and say “I cannot write about this. It’s too hard.” 

This is especially true when writing about something that’s controversial or sensitive in nature.

In speaking with my friend we both learned that sometimes the question we ought to be asking is not “Who would want to hear what I have to say?” but rather, “Am I willing to listen to what is being spoken to me?”

Sometimes the very thing we write is meant for our personal growth and healing. When that process ends up helping someone else it’s just an added bonus.

In the end it may not matter if what we write goes on to be published to raving acclaim. Sometimes all that matters is that we finish what we start. And finish it well.

The Year of the Dragon

I wish I could properly attribute this amazing work
of art. It was sent to me by a friend and I have
no clue where she found it!

It’s been nearly two months since I joined the ranks of America’s “unemployed” now. Between the holidays, a promising interview process that ended up not going where I hoped, and over a week of being stuck in bed with a high fever and the worse case of spins I’ve ever experienced, my life is finally starting to settle into a regular routine again.

The way I see it, just because I’m not punching in a time card doesn’t mean I don’t have any way to effectively employ my time. In fact, I often complained that my previous work schedule made it all but impossible for me to do what I really wanted to do with my life: Write and have the freedom to make a real difference in the lives of others.

I came to a decision last week when I was finally able to force my brain to focus on something other than the spiraling palm tree in the corner of my living room. I’ve been given a rare gift in the form of time and I could either spend it applying for job after job that I would only halfheartedly enjoy while worrying how to make ends meet, or I could spend the same amount of time looking for opportunities to do what I love.

When it all comes down to it, my needs are currently covered and while there are no fancy vacations or wardrobe makeovers in my immediate future, I can afford a few simple niceties here and there. And really, that’s all I need to be comfortable. I’m also single, which means I don’t have a family constantly clamoring for me to attend to their needs — all of which means that I can literally spend the majority of my day writing without feeling completely guilty about it. Talk about a major blessing! (I also have more time to focus on my youth ministry, which has been another incredible experience in itself.)

As I write this I’m finishing up the final stages of preparing to work on a pretty exciting project with someone I made a random connection with via Twitter a couple of years ago, which has since turned into a friendship. I just sent off a proposal for an article to a youth magazine I follow, and am waiting to hear back from the editor. And I’ve been added to the mailing list to receive the next batch of editorial topics for another magazine I hope to be able to write for. Add to that, I’ve joined a freelance board and have bid on a couple other small writing projects that I hope will eventually lead to some additional lines in my writer’s resume. Right now it’s all speculative, but when a farmer plants his fields he has no guarantee of a abundant harvest either.

I’ve been an editor for ten years now with dreams of being a writer who does more that sketches ideas and has an occasional short piece published. Now that I have the chance to do so I don’t want to miss out. None of this will come easy. It’s going to require all lot of dedication and sacrifice on my part. I just have to believe that this is a dream ultimately worth pursuing day after day after day.

Could I end up falling flat on my face? Of course! Could this end up being an unmitigated disaster? Possibly. But it’s a risk I have to be willing to take. And I am.

I think it’s fitting that the first day of my new routine happened to fall on the Chinese New Year. Though I can’t claim any connection to their culture, it’s a new year for me too. The fact that it’s the year of the dragon — a symbol that represents strength, courage, and fierce determination to me — is an added bonus.

The year ahead will be filled with challenges. But I am ready to face them head on. How about you?  

Finding purpose as a Writer

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the King; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. (Ps 45:1)

One of my first writing mentors told me every writer should have a mission, a purpose for writing other than for self-enjoyment. He encouraged me to create a mission statement, and he also directed my attention to the above verse saying it would be a good motto for me. “What is my purpose in writing?” is something I ask myself every time I sit down. I might have various ideas, but the underlying principle is always the same: to build up and encourage others.

I was three when I first dedicated my life to Christ, but it wasn’t until the end of high school that I really had any idea what that might mean. All I really knew was that from the time I was small I wanted God to use me to bless the lives of others. At first I thought that might be through medicine and missions and I threw myself into that field whole-heartedly. Over time I came to realize I was really more interested in caring for the emotional and spiritual well being of others. I could splint and bandage and try to make people more comfortable all day, but my greatest joy came through building relationships and encouraging others.

When I finally decided to pursue writing as a profession I realized that being a writer was so much more than being someone who scribbles words on a page. It is an identity. And I wanted nothing more than for that identity to be centered in Christ. As the years have progressed I’ve noticed something about my writing: everything I do has God’s fingerprints on it. My words echo his love, reflect his creativity, and in some way retell the story he spoke into existence on the day of creation. What nobler theme could the heart be stirred by?

Not everything I write will be for the “Christian” market. In fact, that’s a term I’m not overly fond of personally because it sounds so isolationist. If we have an important story to tell, shouldn’t it be for everyone to hear? That is my mission, to write in such a way that it blesses the lives of others and somehow points them back to my King, no matter where they are in life. And better yet, I never have to get in their face to do so.

What is your purpose? What is your theme? If you haven’t found it yet I’d like to encourage you to take a break from your writing and do a little soul searching. Once you’ve found it you may discover that it adds an entirely new perspective and joy to who you are as a writer.

Reading or Writing: Which would you choose?

My Twitter feed is filled mostly with agents, writers, and publishing houses. It’s one of the easiest ways for me to keep up with book trends, what’s new in the publishing industry, and it’s a great way to find some new ideas for my own writing. I also love following the discussions of fellow word lovers about their writing habits and how often they fill their coffee cup throughout the day. On occasion someone will post a question that leads me to ponder an answer that is longer than the 140 characters I have to respond. I saw one such Tweet earlier this week.

The question presented was, if I had to give up either writing or reading, which would I choose. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one this question gave pause to. In fact, the responses she retweeted proved that. Rather than responding immediately, I decided to think about it a while.

I’ve taken breaks from both over the years, but after a short period I’ve always come running back. As I’ve said in previous posts, writing isn’t just a creative outlet for me. It’s how I process thoughts, work through struggles, and deal with conflicting emotions. It’s far easier for me to express myself with a pen than it is to speak the words. Writing is how I think.

Reading on the other hand is more than just a pastime. I use it to garner new information (or as a friend would say, add more useless trivia to my already endless recollection). Reading plays a pivotal role in how I understand the world in which I live. It also stretches me by presenting me with new ideas and concepts. Reading is how I learn.

Having to choose one over the other is like asking me which hand I would prefer to keep. I rely heavily on both.

Which would I pick: reading or writing?

When it comes down to it, I could find other ways to express myself if I needed to. I could learn to paint, dance, or polish the flute that’s been sitting unused in my closet since I graduated from college. It wouldn’t be the same, but I could learn to adapt given time. It might even be good for me.

Learning requires more than simply relying on hearsay. It demands diligence, study, and looking at actual sources. There are places I’ll never be able to visit, experiments I can never perform, but biographies and diaries can give me a glimpse at what others have spent lifetimes discovering. Coupled with that is the fact that I can re-read a book and still enjoy it more often than I can re-watch the same movie. Books leave more to the imagination.

While this isn’t a real decision I have to make, it did challenge me to take a good look at myself and I gained some interesting insights as a result. Anything I will write or say has been said before in some form or another — in pretty much every case, far more eloquently than I’d ever present it. It also reminded me I’d run out of things to say long before I could soak up a fraction of the knowledge of those who came before me. So when it comes down to it, I decided I prefer to learn as much as I can, and not just about writing. Perhaps if I’m lucky I’ll be able to pass on a nugget of knowledge succinctly enough that it will aid another seeker on her own journey.

The Broken Branch

One of my mentors once told me the true essence of a story isn’t about the character — it’s about the conflict. When we pick up a book the last thing we really want to read about is what he called “Happy People in Happy Land” because as much as we complain about the hardship in our own lives we think that a character who faces no challenges is absolutely boring.

My mentor went on to tell me that when writing my goal is to run my protagonist up a tree in the middle of a forest fire and strand him on a branch that is about to break, plummeting him into a pack of ravenous wolves below. At the time I chuckled to myself. I didn’t realize yet that I was as hesitant to throw my character into that type of danger as I was to step into the fire myself. After all, life isn’t really like that…right?

Lately my life has resembled the above scenario far more than I care to admit. It seems that every time I come close to breaking free from one potential catastrophe I land right smack dab into the middle of another. That there tends to be only the briefest glimpse of peace and safety in between makes the new challenge even harder to face. I’ve found myself asking the oldest cliché in the book: Why?

It’s the question every character finds themselves asking at the end of the first act of a story. Why me? Why here? Why now? It’s also the point in which they make the first in the series of critical choices: Stay and ignore the problem hoping it disappears, thus ending the story before it begins. Or tackle the issue head-on and accept whatever changes and challenges come with it. It’s those who chose the latter we remember.

One of my all-time favorite characters is Frodo Baggins’ best friend Samwise Gamgee. Of all the characters in the Fellowship he was the only one who never wanted an adventure. He would have been content to live out his days tending his garden in the Shire. Instead he chose the path of adversity and it was his choice to stick by Frodo’s side no matter what the cost that resulted in the final destruction of the Ring of Power and the ultimate fall of Sauron.

What I love the most about Sam is that despite everything that happened to him he never lost sight of his goal: To return to the Shire at Frodo’s side. Whether it’s in my personal life or as a writer, I’ve discovered I face the same decision. And as much as it shocks me to type this, I couldn’t live as a Happy Person in Happy Land. Without these struggles I’d see no growth. Without these challenges I’d have no way of knowing how far I can really go. And without these burdens I’d never know just how wonderful it is to discover I don’t have to carry them alone.

There’s one other thing my mentor joined in with others to drill into me: Write what you know. Thanks to the broken branch above the wolves in the middle of a forest fire, that list just got a little longer.

—Jen

When mountains loom large ahead

God doesn’t choose the people who are equipped. He equips the people he chooses.

I can’t tell you where this phrase was first coined, but my brother reminded me of it yesterday when, in a moment of feeling sorely overwhelmed by tasks currently on my plate combined with new responsibilities being handed to me in the coming months, my office was threatened with a tidal wave of tears.

It’s easy for day-to-day tasks to turn into an insurmountable mountain when I look too far ahead and evaluate everything based on my own strength and abilities. I begin to feel small, ill equipped, and like the last person on the planet who should be trusted with a job of any importance. But then I remember the fugitive who was tasked with leading over a million people out of captivity while keeping them from destroying each other over internal squabbling and reckless behavior. There was the simple shepherd boy who slew a giant with a stone and led his nation to greatness under his eventual leadership. And then there were two peasant girls, one who became a queen and took her life in her hands to plead the case of her people, and another who humbly told the angel, “Let it be as you have spoken.”

These are just four of countless individuals who chose to look beyond their frailties and foibles to step out in faith — and be used to change the world. I’ve come to realize that each of us are called at some point to stretch beyond ourselves, though only a few seem truly willing to do so. How different our world would be if these people had instead chosen to say, “The task is too great and I am too small!”

Perhaps you’re facing the same feeling in your own lives in regards to your writing. A message has been place on your heart or a story on your fingertips, yet you hesitate because you feel like the last person who should be typing those specific words.

A choice has been placed before us. The question is, will I choose to step out and tackle the mountain a step at a time risking heartache, rejection, and disappointment knowing there is One who walks beside me equipping me with all the tools and skills I’ll need along the way? Or will I hunker back and watch while another soul braves the arduous trek laid out before her and wonder, “Lord, what can’t that person be me?”