Our valley is watched over by two majestic sentries: Upper Table Rock and Lower Table Rock. A number of years ago a friend of mine and I hiked the trail to the top of Lower Table Rock. We both suffer from asthma, and it’s not an easy hike, so we feared they might find us collapsed halfway up! But we made it, and when we reached the top…well, you just don’t see views like that often enough.
I grew up in this valley, and know it front and back and sideways. But seeing it from that vantage point–it was as though I’d never seen it before. The view of the mountains all around, the sun shining through the clouds, the patterns and textures of the landscape, it all worked together to create a stunning panorama that is the Rogue Valley.
What’s more, these two plateaus stand so straight and tall that I can see them from almost anywhere in the valley. And when I see them, it’s a reminder that I am, indeed, back home in Oregon.
That’s what Mountaintop Focus does for us in our careers. It helps us step away from the day-to-day details, the minutiae of our work, and take a long look at the whole picture. It helps us to see our work, our careers, as a total picture, to remember why we jumped into this miry pond to begin with, and we’re trying to accomplish not just for ourselves, but for the One who drew us into writing. It also helps us to see farther than today. To look out over the landscape that is writing and publishing, and consider our dreams and goals. And, when we’re not on the mountaintop, they can remind us of those overarching goals and missions we believe God has given us in this work.
Next week I’ll share a list of questions to ask yourself as you consider using Mountaintop Focus for your career. But right now, I want you to ask yourself one Mountaintop Focus question. Because this question has to be answered before we can go on:
What are My Top Priorities in Life?
Now, don’t shake your head at me. Don’t roll your eyes. I want you to sit down and really think on this. Don’t spit out the easy answers. Dig deep. What are the things that truly matter most to you. What would you fight tooth and nail to hold onto? What could you not live without?
As you ponder that, consider this follow-up question:
Do my actions, involvements, and relationships reflect those priorities?
As you feel led, share your thoughts with us. And remember, this is just the first step. Next week, we’ll dig deeper into using Mountaintop Focus.
These posts are timely for me, Karen. I’m at that awkward time when we are almost empty-nesters and planning for retirement is a reality and bearing down quickly. Though I’m past the point of making writing my first career, I see it as my “retirement career.” While I’m still at least ten years away from that reality, we know that ten years goes by fast. I’m on the mountain (though I, foolishly, would have gone for the big one and remained until the SAR team arrived), and taking a long look at my future. Keep ’em coming. I’ll try to keep up!
Thought provoking Karen.
I was standing at the toaster yesterday morning when it hit me. The reason I write. It’s like those commercials with the kindergarten kids with the slogan “it’s not that difficult.” The reason I write is to inspire. Simple. But its the funnel through which all other reasons flow and intersect. It’s the urge that nudges me from within. Sometimes we just make it too difficult. Just like needing a mountain top perspective. Thanks.
Karen, this post is exactly what I needed to read today. I’ve been trying to make some decisions and you’ve helped me focus on the important factors to consider. Thank you for sharing it.
Priorities are a funny thing. There are the standard answers for Christians: God, spouse, kids, church, work…in that order, of course. But if I look at the way I spend my time, sometimes a different list presents itself, and sometimes it’s not very pretty. I know what my priorities should be, and so I work toward achieving those standards, always thankful that God is a God of mercy, and that He can prop me up when I fail.
I think of writing as art. Anne said she writes to inspire. I love that, but I don’t think it’s true for me. I write the stories God gives me with the best words I can put together, without thinking about how they will affect others. Where nonfiction titles are sort of “applied art,” fiction is nearer in my opinion to “fine art.” We tell the story for the story’s sake, not for profit (though we’ll take it if it comes) or to sell a product or to achieve a goal. I want to create beautiful stories because I want to be like my Creator, who creates beauty everyday.
Wow, that sounds lofty. I’d better get back to work.
Robin, that’s exactly right. People say to me all the time that God is their first priority, but when I ask what they spend their time reading, the answer is writing books, fiction, nonfiction. If, indeed, our first priority is our relationship with God, then shouldn’t we be spending as much, or more, time in His word as we spend in all those craft/business/pleasure reading books? And not just reading, but studying!
I’m as guilty of this “what I do doesn’t reflect what I say” as anyone. Which is why I’ve joined a couple of Bible studies this year. And I started reading the Bible all the way through–something I haven’t done for too long.
I know folks worry that if they spend their “free” time–outside of work–focusing on God and their families, they won’t have time to write. But friends, we simply cannot afford to short our top priorities. And all those promises we make to ourselves, such as “When I’m successful, I’ll have plenty of time for those other priorities”, just don’t ring true.
So what do you think? How do you focus the time and energy on your top priorities and still build a writing career?
Important things to think about, Karen. Although I’m in a Bible study and try my best to stay in the Word my focus has been on family lately. Many family needs and demands, along with a full-time day job outside of what comes next in my writing career. I want to be prolific but that may not be in my future. So I’ve been praying for the wisdom of Solomon. I recently found out that a teacher my children had in high school went to bed the end of March and never woke up. An undetected brain cyst took her life at the age of 42. She left behind a hubby and two small children. So I’ve been wondering, since none of us are promised tomorrow, how I should envision my career from that perspective? If I went to bed tonight and didn’t wake up tomorrow would I be proud of the choices I’ve made? In our family we always ask each other the question, “How important is it?” Sometimes that helps, but not always. And then after driving myself crazy I go back to two words, “Trust God.” And I’ve got to admit that’s not always easy for me to do and I want to try and take control knowing it’s in His hands anyway. Silly human.
Wow Jillian. That is a powerful story. You stopped me in my tracks this afternoon.
Thank you for sharing it.
When God is our top priority everything else will fall into place. Everything.
Karen, back in 09′ I began reading the bible from beginning to end. I’m nearing the end of my second read through in a different translation. What I’ve learned is priceless, and I continue to be awestruck by the Word. This reason is why I answered your question with confidence. Hold on tight sister, your life is going to change!
Amen, Steve. Jillian, powerful story. And exactly what we all need to keep in mind.
Kids are my top priority even though I don’t have any.
I’ve always had a soft spot for hurting kids. It’s why I worked at low-income schools for ten years, why I volunteered at an orphanage for two summers, and why I mentor teens in foster care.
It’s also why I gave up trying to write a women’s fiction book and went with my heart and wrote a YA book. I’ve witnessed the power a book can do in a kid’s life, and I hope to one day offer teen girls the hope of Christ through a fun story.
I have had mountain top experiences, literally, where I really didn’t think I would make it to the top. When I turned around and saw the view I realized… If I can do this…I can do anything! It was a deep encouragement to keep moving forward toward the goal and never give up. The mountain top is where we see perspective and potential in a way that we can’t when we are at ground level. We also see what we would have missed if we had never taken the risk to make the climb.
I tell people I am a mom who writes. If I reach thousands of people or even millions with something I have penned, but don’t live it out in my own home, then I have failed at the biggest calling God has given me; to love and respect my husband and be a mom who passes on Biblical truths to her kids by living it out to the best of my ability. Proverbs 14:1 says “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
It comes back to perspective and being willing to take one step at a time as well as putting first things first.
Thanks for the encouragement Karen…as well as sharing your mountain top view with us :~) It looks like the climb was totally worth every step.
What wonderful comments: Encouraging and thought provoking. Thanks for this post, Karen.
By grace I have been redeemed. From a dark place the light of Christ drew me to His healing love. So, when I look at my day-to-day living, my priority is with God becoming the focal point of my life–enough so that those who come within my sphere see the change in me and want His presence in their lives.
My writing is to entertain, and in doing so, the desire of my heart is to leave my readers with a sense of hope, encouragement, and faith that they, too, can find redemption in our one true hope: Jesus.
Karen, thank you for this great reminder! And these comments! I identify with so many. My passion is to know God and make Him known. I spend the bulk of every day learning with my kids as we study God’s hand in history, His design in science, math, music, His spirit of creativity in art and the written Word–and as we love a misplaced little one who joined our household nearly six months ago. I know I’ve got to model the understanding that we exist to glorify Christ and serve others, so ministry has always been a family thing for us. We served as missionaries for six years, and then moved back to this stateside field where we continue to use the gift of hospitality to come alongside other families–the struggling, the broken, the burned out. My husband and I share our vision for healthy families serving alongside one another, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. So when do I write? Every, single night. God fills my mind with Truth from His word, with rich and challenging experiences, and with faces. People whose stories need to be told. I pray for the opportunity for my voice to be heard out there. But in the mean time, I just keep on.
I’ve been very lucky recently – my career as an academic was ruined, and I’m dealing with a life-threatening illness. That’s my mountaintop.
I’m not kidding.
I’ve realized that I write because even when your nightmares come true, there’s all the more reason to uphold faith, honour, decency, and fair play. The values that make life bearable for everyone stand out in a relief that’s all the sharper, when one realizes that they are indeed worth living for – and worth dying for.
I write to reach out a hand, and to say, “Come, now…you can do it! Steady on, and soon it will be daylight again.”
And, to paraphrase Mr. Chruchill, if I were to live a thousand years, those who know me will still say – this was his finest hour.