Discipline Can Be Painful

One of the scriptures I pray and meditate on every morning is Hebrews 13:21(NLT). May he equip you with all you need?for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ,?every good thing that is pleasing to him.?All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

 He equips me with all I need for doing his will. As a novelist, this means he provides me with ideas for stories, for characters and settings, for plot twists and tweaks, for endings that will resonate with the reader and that will, in some way, bring her closer to God.

 But I can’t simply sit at my computer and wait for the screen to fill up with words. He’s not going to dictate through my fingers.

 He will equip me. He will give me the tools. My part is pick up those tools and learn to use them.

 I have to work. There’s that nasty four-letter word again.

 Not only do I have to apply my butt to the seat of the chair, I need to apply my brain to the process of writing, of applying all the craft tools and techniques I’ve learned to write the story he will use to change people’s lives.

 It’s a discipline. Writing is a job that requires the same discipline as my non-writing job did.

 And He reminds: No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

 There are some days when writing is a joy. The words flow and flow. It’s like riding a wave and watching it crest at 3,000 or 4,000 or even more words for a day’s work.

 And there are others where it’s a slog, when 500 words feel like they’ve been pulled out by pincers. And lately, I’ve had more of these than the others.

 I’m on a commitment to finish my current project by January 1^st, 2014. And it’s not a secret either. I’ve told my writing partners and my wife. I’ve made myself accountable to others.

And I’ve sat at my computer everyday and watch the words dribble onto the screen like a dripping faucet. Many days, I have not met my target.

But the calling is there. The commitment is there. The discipline is there. And it’s painful.

The temptation is strong to walk away, go to the movies, to the bookstore, anywhere but to the computer.

Each day, I sit at my writing table and I exercise the discipline He has called me to do.

 And the manuscript is coming together. I see the pieces of the story unfolding as the characters lead me on the adventure of this story.

 I’m meeting my daily target more frequently. And I’m still committed to the January 1 due date.

 And, by His grace and power, it will get done.