Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established-(Proverbs 16:3, ESV); Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:1, 6, KJV)
I grew up reading Ntozake Shange and Nikki Giovanni. These two writers of the Black Empowerment movement became my heroes. They inspired me by changing the way I thought and viewed the world. They were the type of heroes who encouraged me to dream differently and motivated me to want to change lives. I imagine neither woman consciously thought “I’ll write poems that will change lives.” However, it’s evident they wrote based on their perceptions which captured their reactions to the world, and expressed hope for the future.
As I pen this blog, I realize their poems gave a little black girl from Illinois with roots in Texas and Florida, the space to write poetry and books. They made space for me to envision a career in writing when I didn’t know anyone personally who did so. My dream of a writing career reminds me of my faith in Jesus Christ.
Following Christ is a journey similar to my journey toward a writing career. Progress feels like slogging through a peat bog. I’ve had fits and starts. Sometimes, I stopped writing because I didn’t know where the characters wanted to go. Other times, I stopped because I didn’t feel adequate. I wondered who would want to hear from me. I have done the same thing in following Christ — I’ve stopped because I had no direction and felt inadequate. But writing and Christ keep drawing me back.
In this stage of my life, it has become easier to write and follow Jesus. Four things have helped me:
1. I am in a community of writers and Christian believers. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) reminds me to “not neglect our together. . . but encourage one another”. My community pushes me to use my gifts.
2. I am never alone in the midst of a trial. The Bible reminds us in 1 Peter 5:9 “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (NLT). God also gives me strength to overcome in every situation.
3. I believe God rewards those who seek Him diligently. This has been a hard-fought revelation. I complained to a friend that In this season of trials, I try to live out Hebrews 11:1 and 6 — “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. . .But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe he is, and the he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (KJV). I seek His wisdom for my life daily.
4. I decided long ago that I would follow Jesus. I don’t give myself the option to turn back. Writing at every opportunity is the legacy left to me by Nikki Giovanni and Ntozake Shange. Following God is the legacy left to me by Jesus Christ. The greatest reward of following Christ is the promise of eternal life.
I strive to honor the writing legacy of Nikki and Ntozake but more importantly, I strive to leave a legacy of Jesus Christ in the world. I choose Jesus every day!
Prayer: Father God when I face a hard season inspire me. Give me the eyes to see that not all rewards are tangible. Let me desire Your will and Your reward in every season. Amen.
Your turn: Whose legacy are you following today? Have you decided to follow Jesus Christ in the good times and the hard times? What inspires you? What has God given you to leave for the next generation?
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