When the Path to Publication Seems Never-Ending

One thing I've learned the past few years along my writing journey is how long it actually takes to see your name in print. For some it can take up to ten years, if not longer. Sometimes it may seem as if the path to publication is never-ending. There may even be times when you start to wonder if this is really what you're supposed to be doing with your life.

However, I believe that the waiting season is very necessary, as mentioned in last week's post.  Reaching our dreams isn't supposed to be easy.

But why does God allow us to go through waiting seasons, especially when it seems as if we'll never reach the destination?

• To  see  if  we  will  persevere  and  not  give  up.  So  we  can  learn  to  have  patience  and  trust  in Him.

Things aren't supposed to come easily in life, including the desires God has placed on our hearts. But He wants to use those who persevere no matter what. If you know God has given you a gift, you must do whatever it takes in order to have the opportunity to use it.

God uses these waiting seasons to shape us. They're supposed to prepare us for what comes next, not make us give up. The Israelites didn't reach the Promise Land because it ceased to exist, but because they chose to give up. 

• To  develop  our  craft. 

Just because God has given you a talent doesn't mean it's ready to be used. Someone who tries to rush God's timing in this area could be compared to a mother trying to force herself into labor weeks before her actual due date. There must be time to completely grow and develop, and yes, it may get harder over time. But just like in pregnancy--if it has become more painful over time, that may just be a sign that the due date is right around the corner.

"That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy."

~Romans 8:24-25

• To  be  shaped  into  the  person  that  God  wants  us  to  be.  To  have  time  for  our  faith  to  be  strengthened.

This goes back to the whole pregnancy analogy  It takes time to grow into the person God wants us to be in order to do the things he's given us to do for his Kingdom. Rushing this process will be just like a baby being born prematurely, before it's fully developed. 

“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

~James 1:3-4

• It's  simply  not  His  timing.

It bothers me when I see people throwing away their talent, all because they don't have enough patience to wait for God's timing. They wanted their dream to be achieved immediately, and they thought the road to achieving it was easier.

Last night I was reminded once again that my timing is not always God's timing. I was told that the release date for Purple Moon has been pushed back to the spring. To be honest, I was a little disappointed at first, but then God showed me all the reasons why this is actually best. If I could, I'd have the copies of my book in stores tomorrow. However, tomorrow is not the day God had in mind. It's too early.


I'm glad that I'm not in control of the timing of my life, because I know that only God knows what's best for me. 

Sure, the publishing journey can feel like forever at times. But it's just the journey. We must keep moving forward--if we don't, we're guaranteed to never reach the destination.

And instead of wishing your dream could already be achieved, enjoy the journey. There are also joys in "being pregnant". Remember that God works everything out in His timing. It's not always about the destination anyway.

As soon as I posted last week's post, this song below came on my Pandora. It fits the theme of this post and I encourage you all to listen to it. 

"Worth The Wait" ~33 Miles

"The Lord will work out his plans for my life..."
~Psalm 138:8

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Have you ever felt as if your journey to publication would never end? What are some other reasons you think God has us go through the waiting seasons before reaching the destination of our dream?

photo credit: arbyreed via photopin cc