Some people haven’t been able to access my post from earlier today, so I decided to repost it!
For the last several years, I’ve heard people talk about
their “life verse.”
their “life verse.”
I’d scratch my head and go, “Huh? What’s that mean?”
Well, according to shareyourstorynow.org,
“A life-verse is a verse or passage in the Bible that is significant to
you. It may define your life, give you inspiration or direction, be
something that you hang onto as you face difficult circumstances, or it could
even be the passage of scripture that brought you to a belief in Jesus Christ.”
“A life-verse is a verse or passage in the Bible that is significant to
you. It may define your life, give you inspiration or direction, be
something that you hang onto as you face difficult circumstances, or it could
even be the passage of scripture that brought you to a belief in Jesus Christ.”
I always wondered how someone knew a verse was supposed to
be the one they lived by forever.
be the one they lived by forever.
Well, now I know.
Because two weeks ago at the ACFW (American Christian
Fiction Writers) conference, God gave me mine in the clearest way I could have
imagined.
Fiction Writers) conference, God gave me mine in the clearest way I could have
imagined.
It was Friday. I had two editor pitch sessions coming up. (For
you non-writers, this means I sit down for 15 minutes and tell them about my
book. They can ask questions or say they aren’t interested. You really have no
idea how it will go.)
you non-writers, this means I sit down for 15 minutes and tell them about my
book. They can ask questions or say they aren’t interested. You really have no
idea how it will go.)
I’d never pitched before, so needless to say—I was nervous! (I
mean, I love food and I barely touched breakfast AND lunch. Such a bummer.)
mean, I love food and I barely touched breakfast AND lunch. Such a bummer.)
I had a few friends who offered to wait and pray with me,
but I needed a few moments to myself. At this particular conference, they set
up a prayer room. So I headed in there.
but I needed a few moments to myself. At this particular conference, they set
up a prayer room. So I headed in there.
I just felt…overwhelmed.
Not because I was THAT afraid or anything. Maybe because I
was there…finally. Maybe it was a huge mixture of fear, and joy, and worry, all
rolled up into this ball of emotions that threatened to spill over.
was there…finally. Maybe it was a huge mixture of fear, and joy, and worry, all
rolled up into this ball of emotions that threatened to spill over.
Anyway, so I sat down and started praying, but felt like I
needed the comfort of God’s words. I pulled out my iPhone, and scrolled to my
Bible app.
needed the comfort of God’s words. I pulled out my iPhone, and scrolled to my
Bible app.
I didn’t know what verse I’d even pull up for comfort.
But I didn’t need to know.
Because the verse of the day popped up, and when I read
it—kid you not—I burst into tears.
it—kid you not—I burst into tears.
Here’s the verse (same translation as on the app):
“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that
the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a
flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” (Philippians 1:6, The Message)
the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a
flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” (Philippians 1:6, The Message)
Seriously, God?
I cried, prayed, ran out to show my friends…and tears came
to their eyes too, because they know me. And they know that above all, the
hardest thing I struggle with is WORRY.
to their eyes too, because they know me. And they know that above all, the
hardest thing I struggle with is WORRY.
I worry I won’t succeed at this whole writing thing. That
I’ll never amount to anything.
I’ll never amount to anything.
But as God likes to continually remind me (as He did just
last month; see this guest blog post I wrote on Jessica
Patch’s site)—He’s got this.
last month; see this guest blog post I wrote on Jessica
Patch’s site)—He’s got this.
I mean, He plopped that verse in my lap. I believe in that
little prayer room in the bottom level of the Hyatt Regency in Dallas…God met
me.
little prayer room in the bottom level of the Hyatt Regency in Dallas…God met
me.
And He showed me the verse that will always be most
significant to me, because of who I am and what I struggle with.
significant to me, because of who I am and what I struggle with.
He’s started this work in me—whether it be my writing life,
my personal life, my spiritual life—and He’s gonna finish it.
my personal life, my spiritual life—and He’s gonna finish it.
He’s. Got. This.
And I’m so, so glad.
Your Turn: Do you have a
life verse? If not, what’s one of your favorites?
Lindsay, I feel so honored to be a part of that story. I loved your excitement and faith in that moment, and the moments that followed. This is your life verse and God gave it to you at the exact moment you needed it – and He'll continue to bring it to you every time you need a reminder. He's got this. Totally.
I'm so glad you were there to be part of it too! 🙂
Wow! I just got chills when I read that verse. Just wow, Lindsay. It's moments like that, that change us and touch us in ways we cannot explain. It's God. Great post. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I know, isn't He amazing? 🙂
I love that verse too! And I'm glad that God gave you what you needed, right when you needed it! He's awesome like that! 🙂
Thanks, Lacie! I am constantly amazed at how He does that so willingly.
I so love this story! That really is the most perfect life verse ever!
I spent some amazing, weepy (in a good way) time in that prayer room, too. The nearness of God was such a precious thing about that conference.
I wish I could have spent more time in there. It was so peaceful!!