Preparing the Sacrifice

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Do you sometimes feel the green-eyed monster has taken root in your heart when fellow Christian writers seem to experience far more fame and fortune than we do? 

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen[c] the One who sees me”  (Genesis 16:13 NIV).

 When Hagar uttered these words, she had been visited by an angel who gave her encouragement. She was an Egyptian slave to Sara, Abraham’s wife. Since she was barren, she gave Hagar to Abraham in hopes of conceiving a child for her husband. This was not considered morally wrong in the culture of the times. Sarah looked to common worldly practices to solve her problem of childlessness. A woman who did not produce a male heir for her husband was considered worthless.

Her plan might have worked. As Hagar’s physical condition swelled, Sarah’s jealousy consumed her, and she abused Hagar. In desperation, Hagar ran away.

God brings about His purposes regardless of our human frailty. Hagar returned and bore Ishmael to Abraham. But Ishmael was not the son of promise. Thirteen years later God allowed Sarah to conceive … when the only explanation for this child was a miracle of God. But jealousy once more took camp in Abraham’s household, causing Ishmael and his mother to be banished. Again the Lord intervened and assured Haggar that her son would be great as well as Isaac.

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21 NIV)

Jesus had explained to the disciples how they would be persecuted for spreading the good news about Him. Peter, who had proclaimed his loyalty to Christ, wondered about the fairness of the Lord’s seeming preferential treatment toward young John. Peter wondered if John would suffer as the others would. Jesus understood Peter’s jealousy. He answered, “If I choose for him to live until I return, what is that to you?” In other words” I have a plan for Peter that is different than yours.”

As writers, we tend to be equally jealous of other Christian writers, especially those who have achieved fame and monetary success. We ask a similar question, “What about them?” In eyes that are out of focus from God’s wisdom, we view these authors as perhaps receiving special favor from the Lord. We wonder why God seems to bless them more than us, especially when we’ve endured so much adversity in our endeavor to spread the gospel through our writing.

Christian author, are you currently at odds with the Lord as you wonder why your work does not receive the recognition you believe it should? Are you feeling worthless because all your hopes and dreams weighed against that promise God first gave you seem fruitless? Do you gaze at the swelling success of others and shout to the Lord, “Why can’t it be me?”

God’s voice still rings true. “I have a different plan for them than for you. Do not judge my abundant love for you against the world standards. You will receive your Isaac—in my time and in my way.”

Keep your hope in the Lord.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV