I have been attending a virtual writer’s retreat the past couple of days. Such amazing speakers with great insights.

The thing I’m butting my head against, is the conflict of the different schools of thought. One speaker will tout the benefit of narrowing in on your target reader and another will say write what inspires you. I have faced this dilemma before and simply disregarded looking any deeper.

When I woke up this morning I was thinking about defining my box and crawling into it so I could become a master rather than a jack(-of-all-trades.)

But, I am a creative. The idea of climbing in the box, limiting myself, scares me to death. So when I listened to the last speaker, I let out the breath I was holding. I saw another way.

• Who I am is more important than what I write.
• Am I a person you would want to go on a journey with?

These are some things I gleaned from the teaching of Allen Arnold.

This scripture came to mind:

Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:17 (AMP)

Not the scripture I was planning on this morning.

Is it a good idea to find my niche? Definitely. Is it absolutely necessary? No. That in itself is freeing.

I’ve come to the conclusion that it is not necessarily freedom vs. focus, but I have freedom, therefore, focus is an added benefit I can acquire.

Who knew writing was such a complex vocation?

Well, I know this wasn’t the most earth shattering blog post. But if you think about it, the principle applies to other things as well. Who you are matters more than what you do. You have freedom in Christ, yet the Father still prunes you so that you will bear more fruit.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].

John 15:2 (AMP)

Therein lies my focus—to become more fruitful. This is my Father’s desire.

One last thing. Be authentic. Don’t force yourself into a box that makes you feel claustrophobic. As you learn, pick up the tools that work well for you, and leave the rest for someone else.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay