‘I can easily relate to this,’ I thought to myself, as I sat
in our church on the first Sunday of the new year, listening to the sermon. Our
minister had just described to us the setting and events of the Book of
Zechariah where God gives Zechariah various visions. In Chapter
4, Zechariah receives a word about Zerubbabel, the prince of Judah. The
Israelites had returned from captivity in Babylon but had yet to complete the
rebuilding of the temple. This was Zerubbabel’s particular project—and it seems
there had been some delay in completing it. But in Zechariah 4:8-10,
we read:
Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”
Now I am not about to rebuild a temple—or a house—or anything,
in fact. But as our minister went on to talk about not despising small
beginnings and about stepping out in faith to begin the projects God has laid
on our hearts, I realised what familiar territory this was for me as an author.
How many times in my writing journey have I stared at that screen where I have
perhaps typed the name of a new novel or even planned out the chapters, only to
be overcome with the enormity of the task ahead?
I remember how I felt when I began my first novel Helena back in 2004. At first, I thought
I would never be able to drum up enough words to create a full length novel.
But then those creative juices kicked in and the words began to flow—so much so
that, a year later, I had managed to write 170,000 words! Eventually, that
dream I had thought was impossible became two published novels.
I have produced several more fiction and non-fiction works
since then. And each time, I still experience that horrible sinking feeling that
maybe I won’t be able to complete the story I am about to begin. How much I still
need to remember not to despise those small beginnings but to trust God and
step out with courage to complete what God has called me to write!
Years ago when I began a theology degree in my forties, I
was given a different verse from Zechariah 4:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zech 4:6
I kept that verse on a piece of paper in the back of my
Bible all through college and pulled it out often as a reminder that God would
enable me to complete my degree, which I did. So, as you step into 2015, may you
also be encouraged not to despise those few words of your current project you
might have written so far but to go on and complete the task God has give you—and
to do it with perseverance and joy.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives
in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and
Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well
as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and
lives through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of six
published novels and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared
spiritual journey. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three
grown-up children and four grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.
