deadline madness

I am in a rather crazy, hectic, overwhelming time in my writing life. I’m working on a novella with a looming deadline, and as of yesterday, I’m in possession of a revision letter for my novel that I turned in to the publisher in July. The revisions also have a looming deadline. The good news in the revision letter is that the book doesn’t stink (always what I fear); the bad news is that I need to add a considerable number of scenes. (This may be a very quiet blog over the next month. We’ll see.)

But God is good! Just as I was facing the reality of my calendar, I arrived at yesterday’s reading in Streams in the Desert. It was like the words were written eighty-some years ago just for me today.

He saw the disciples straining at the oars.  (Mark 6:48)

Straining and striving does not accomplish the work God gives us to do. Only God Himself, who always works without stress and strain and who never overworks, can do the work He assigns to His children. When we restfully trust Him to do it, the work will be completed and will be done well. And the way to let Him do His work through us is to so fully abide in Christ by faith that He fills us to overflowing.

A man who learned this secret once said, “I came to Jesus and drank, and I believe I will never be thirsty again. My life’s motto has become  ‘Not overwork but overflow,’  and it has already made all the difference in my life.”

There is no straining effort in an overflowing life, and it is quietly irresistible. It is the normal life of omnipotent and ceaseless accomplishment into which Christ invites each of us to enter —today and always.

I want my life’s work to overflow without stress, strain, or striving, and that comes from trusting God to do His work within me. I want to fully abide in Christ every day of my life. I want Jesus to overflow from my heart and my work and my actions.

I’ve begun a morning meditation on the Names of the Lord. This morning’s name is "The Angel of Jehovah" (Genesis 22:15). Jesus, You are God’s messenger who was called out of heaven, the Angel of Jehovah, who has brought new life to all who trust in You. You have covered my sins and made a new woman out of me. Praise the Name of the Lord. Amen.

In the grip of His grace,
Robin