Get Up, Get Dressed and Write - Harris

Get up and get dressed. Go out, and tell them whatever I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. Jeremiah 1:17

The Lord's words to the prophet Jeremiah, are simple, clear, and direct. To fulfill his prophetic mission, Jeremiah has to do something. In this case, get up, get dressed, and go outside, before he can convey his inspired words to the people. And he has get over his self-consciousness.

So, even prophets are subject to the mundane. Even prophets have to put forth a little effort. Even prophets have to take care of daily business. Even prophets need to stop navel gazing.

How many times have you heard these words? "If you are called to write for a living, Jesus will supply the money you need to live, bring you assignments, and inspire you to write?"

Did you believe it? How well did that approach work for you? For how long?

If you are like me, you soon found that inspiration flows best when you pick up your pen or sit at your keyboard even though you'd rather cut your toe nails. And maybe you've found that you write best when a deadline pressures you.

Did you also find that prose you write, in rare moments when words flow effortlessly, usually needs editing in the cold, hard post-inspiration light?

For me, waiting for inspiration can be a be a way to avoid work. Worrying too much about what people think tempts me to shy away from writing uncomfortable truths. The best way for me to serve God as a writer is to get up, get dressed, and get to work.

Jane Harris