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Gretchen Mure Rodriguez

Enjoy the Journey, Reach Your Goals

Lately I've been feeling a bit torn. On one hand, I've finished my first novel, an obscure dream I hid tenderly in my heart for many years. I never thought I could do it, but I did! And I think it's pretty good. But of course every mother thinks her baby is beautiful.

I never imagined I would find a career I'd love as much as dance, but this burns deeply and I feel the breath of God on it. Learning how to write and create with Him, whether fiction or non, is fulfilling, peaceful - the Creator and His creation exploring together.

On the other hand, now that I've truly caught the writing bug, I feel dissatisfied because I don't have enough time. Like many of us, I would love to quit my job and focus on writing. I'm blessed with a great job that I can do at home, but my heart is pulled in a different direction. 

Can you relate?

When you finally decide to stop dreaming about something and run after it full-force, even if you fail, it's a big deal! But what happens once you are in full stride and you're not sure if you'll ever reach the finish line? Do you stop and figure it out, or do you keep running and pray on the go?

How often do we focus on reaching the goal and forget the beauty of the journey? The time we spend studying, growing in our craft, or praying about it, is never wasted time. The fact that we are going after what is in our heart, is exciting! Of course there are boring parts  - creating websites, writing a synopsis, searching for agents, etc., is not fun for me, but they're still important. 

What God does in us during the preparation time is one of the most important parts of the journey! We must yield to the Potter's hand as He forms and prepares us to be strong vessels. If we aren't fully formed, we will crack under the pressure of the very thing we are made for. We must trust in His timing, remembering that He knows when we're ready to be presented.

But we must do our part to stay focused; not just on our goals, but on His leading everyday. Stay close to His heart. Don't waste time. Listen and move with His Spirit. Have fun as you move closer and closer to fulfilling those dreams!

Today's post is different. But I wanted to encourage those of you who are running after your dreams and feeling a bit frustrated in the process of fulfillment. We must keep our hearts satisfied in Him, and hear His direction and wisdom, in order to walk this out. 
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