“Since before time began no one has ever imagined, no ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him. You meet those who happily do what is right, who keep a good memory of the way you work.” Isaiah 64:4 from The Message
The best-selling book, The Day of the Jackal, was turned down with the comment of “no reader interest.” The book has since sold eight million copies.
The Diary of Anne Frank was rejected 15 times and called “very dull,” with unfamiliar characters who bickered like a typical family.
Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen was rejected 140 times.
And Carrie by Stephen King? Rejected 30 times. The story goes, after the final rejection King threw the manuscript in the trash and his wife fished it out.
What does it mean to wait for God – to hope for that big break? We live for the moment; God lives for the ages. We want success right now; God wants us right with Him.
Some months ago I parted ways with my agent and told God: “Okay, Lord. From now on, You’re my literary agent. You want me to write books, then you find the contacts and contracts. If not, no big deal. Whatever comes, I’m happy writing for you.”
Last month I finished the third book in a three-book deal with HarperCollins. My friend-agent, Diana, landed that first contract but it’s solely up to God where I go from here.
When faced with the urgency of “now,” consider what it means to “wait upon God.” We are not called to sit and do nothing, but to wait. Wait: as in serve Him. Wait: as in serve others. Wait as only a servant can when he works with all his heart to serve his master.
Wait upon the Lord with the skills you have. And If he has placed a desire within your heart to write, then write. Never forget, God’s eyes roam the earth searching for those willing to serve Him. Serve with passion and leave the results to God