Just Keep Going

The interesting thing about writing, and almost anything created in the art and media world, is that nothing is real until it’s printed or posted. From photography, design, writing a book, writing music, until it is printed, recorded, and ultimately revealed to the world, it’s just an idea.

In the writing world, articles books, stories, and blog posts get canned, canceled, or rewritten. I had a series of devotions recently canceled that were set to be printed next year in a book. I also had two blog posts I was a part of that completely omitted my material. Had I wasted my time?

Turns out, I hadn’t.

Rejection is a part of life. We all live with it, whether it’s in a personal or professional way, we are forced to face our vulnerability every day. But, it’s the “keeping going” that makes us triumphant. Instead of staying frustrated with my canceled work, I’ve found other outlets for it. The devotions I wrote for one source are being used for another.

In fact, the very company that decided they didn’t want my devotions, wanted a different piece of work for a different book the following week. And as for the two blogs, I was supposed to be in (the ones I reached out to)? Instead, a well-known company reached out to me and asked me for input on one of their blog posts.

Art is fickle. Life is fickle. People are fickle.

But, I can have confidence that what I’ve committed to God, the very things I have a passion for, will still find a way to for revelation. I’m a firm believer that nothing we do is wasted. Nothing we do for God is null and void. As it says in Isaiah 55:11 (NIV),

“…so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

If I am dedicated to my work and persist regardless of the rejection, I can’t help but find success… even if it’s not in my timing. By understanding that my ways aren’t His ways, every door that should be opened will open. If I let go of my plan, and let God do His thing while I “just keep going,” things will turn out exactly as they should.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV).

Finch Food for Thought: Rejection can lead to a better return when we remember God is in control.