Average, But Obedient

by Heidi Gray McGill
How do I stand out and reach the top in the Christian Indie world when I’m average? There are
authors with English degrees and years of experience under their belt. Others don’t need to
choose between paying for an editor or rent. I have a decent number of followers on social
media, but Twitter and TikTok are more than my technically challenged and slower-paced brain
can manage. I’m average.
Average: The result obtained by adding several quantities and dividing this total by the number of quantities.
Some days, it seems everyone is jockeying for position in the author world, and my horse has a
lame leg. My Facebook engagement is low, but my newsletter list is a decent size and has a solid
open and click rate. That’s something. But divide it out with my less-than-engaged Instagram
account, and I’m average.
It’s easy to get discouraged when an author friend’s post goes viral. Jealously creeps in when
another author’s book gets fifty reviews within the first week, and my reviews come in like
molasses flowing uphill in January during a nor’easter in Maine.
Add my strong qualities and divide them by areas where I am lacking, and the result is average. I
may not be extraordinary in the author world, but I am in God’s eyes. And THAT changes the
equation.
“Each one should test their actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing
themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:4 NIV
When I started this writing journey, I had one goal—to honor my commitment to the Lord to
spread the gospel. Writing became my platform to share my faith. To succeed, I only needed to
be obedient.
There should be no competition in the author community. It should only matter that you are obedient to God’s calling on your heart. #writing #ChristianFiction Click To Tweet
When sharing Christ, there is no competition in who does it better. It doesn’t matter if you share
one-on-one or with a large crowd. It only matters that you fulfill the calling God placed on your
heart.
Being a writer isn’t easy. That is one thing every author shares. I have yet to meet an author who
excels at writing, editing, publishing, promoting, and marketing and enjoys every facet. In this,
we are all average and likely discouraged.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I
will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
This verse leaves no room for wishy-washy “I don’t measure up” feelings. The verse says there
is no need to be discouraged. God is walking this path with us and will provide the strength
needed when we see ourselves lacking.
Remember your mission and why you work hard to make it as an author. You don’t need to be
number one. You just need to be obedient.
Heidi Gray McGill is an award-winning ACFW QIP who began writing in March 2020. She is both independently and traditionally published, with eight books in print. You’ll find her Discerning God’s Best series consistently on the best-seller list, with the first in the series having over 1,000 five-star reviews. Visit Heidi on her website or Fiction Finder .

 
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