Photo Credit 1
Yesterday I was at a writers’ conference. It was a great conference, with timely information and great speakers. (For example, I spent several sessions absorbing the writing advice of Jerry B. Jenkins of Left Behind fame. Yeah, I mean GREAT speakers.) In addition, I had many encouraging conversations with fellow writers. (And realized I was probably the only one at the conference who didn’t have business cards to hand out. Guess that had better go on my To Do list if I want to start acting like a professional writer.) In short, it was awesome. So today I should be pumped, right?
The mountaintop was awesome! I feel pumped! Photo Credit 2
Actually, today I feel overwhelmed:
Too much great information.
Too many things I need to work on.
Too many new ideas I can’t wait to try.
Anyone who has been to a conference understands. We sit for hours trying to absorb the wisdom of experts. We talk to other conferees, sharing our enthusiasm and excitement for the wonderful material we’re learning. As the annoying Lego song goes, “Everything is awesome.”
Then the conference ends and we make our way home, toting a pile of lecture handouts, business cards and free brochures on products and services we really ought to consider. We step through the door, drop our stuff and collapse in a comfy chair, too exhausted to tell our loved ones more than a few vague statements about our wonderful time at the conference.
We’ll sort through the materials tomorrow, we promise ourselves. Put our notes in order. Make a To Do list. Get busy applying all those great new ideas.
But tomorrow comes and the energy we felt at the conference has waned. We have to face realities like dirty laundry, an overflowing in box, and the mess the cat made under the computer desk.
Lord, where do I begin?
At the close of the conference one of the speakers gave us this charge: Go home and pray these words, “Lord, where do I begin?” He had us repeat them several times, so we’d remember.
Because it’s too easy to become overwhelmed with all the things we could or should be doing.
And end up doing nothing.
Our head is buzzing with so many ideas we don’t know where to start.
So we never start.
Or we try to apply everything we learned all at once–and become frustrated.
So we give up.
I don’t want to be like that, so instead of rushing off to begin applying everything I think I ought to, I’m going to take my time, think things over, work through some priorities, and above all, pray. “Lord, where do I begin? Which of these expert suggestions do you want me to apply to my writing career?”
The next time you attend a conference, perhaps you should do the same. Because, you know what? I bet God has an answer for you.
1 — Photo Credit: Guido Romanelli via Compfight cc
2 — Photo Credit: charlesthompsonphotography.com via Compfight cc
Great post, Lisa, and even though I’ve only been to one writers’ conference and one writers’ workshop, I can relate. I love the guidance you received from that speaker, though — to pray asking God where he wants YOU to begin. I’m sure He will give you your answer.
The one conference I attended had a speaker who shared a similar sentiment: “Write His Answer”. She told us to pray asking God what He wants ME to write and then, write His answer.
Such a blessing to attend Christian writers’ workshops where they point you to our ultimate Help.
I pray God’s blessings as you take the time to think about all you’ve learned and seek where He wants you to begin.
Thanks for the prayers! And I think we face the same struggles no matter what the topic of the conference. Whether it’s a church retreat or a conference on industrial safety regulations, we always come away with information overload. But I think the advice applies across the board.
Lisa, I totally understand. I was praying all the way through that conference. “Lord, what do you want me to take home and apply.” “What sessions do I attend” “How much chocolate can I eat?” Hee hee. We were truly blessed by the staff. I pray for all that attended that conference. God gave each of us a message and He will give us the ability to get that message out. Write on my friend.
Thank you. I’m trying. I came away with some very practical advice (such as better self-editing tips) but also some more ambiguous inspiration and self-analysis. All told, the conference was time well spent, and I hope I am doing a good job of applying what I absorbed. I might also note that what inspired me may not be the same as what I thought was going to inspire me–because God knows what I really needed.