I’m not the best. At anything, it seems. I flunked out of C Ball in Little League. I squeezed four years of high school into five. I’ve written a lot and even won a few awards, but many others are far better writers than I am. I strive for excellence in virtually everything I do; but as a writer, speaker, preacher, literary agent, and blogger, I fall short of “the best.”
Maybe you can identify. “The best” is a “hard row to hoe,” as someone more “country” than I might say. And no matter how gifted or blessed you might be as a writer, there are probably others who are more so.
But guess what? You can be the best. It’s a matter of focus. Wisdom. Choice.
In fact, no matter how disadvantaged you may be—or feel—and regardless of how many rejections or frustrations you face, I think I can identify at least twenty things that you can be “the best” at as a writer, if you so choose:
- Praying
- Writing bad first drafts
- Starting over
- Reading widely
- Reading deeply
- Receiving critique
- Welcoming (e.g., in your writers group or at a conference)
- Helping
- Listening
- Encouraging other writers (on social media, for instance)
- Hoping
- Smiling
- Laughing
- Trying
- Caring
- Complimenting
- Waiting
- Reviewing (e.g., posting ratings or reviews of others’ books)
- Rejoicing with others
- Persevering
When you look at it like that, the strains and struggles of the writing life become much brighter, don’t they? There may not be many contests to enter or awards to earn for the list above; but if you were to choose to be the “prayingest,” “encouragingest,” or “smilingest” writer out there, you’d have a great shot. And you’d have a great time as you do, instead of all that gloomy focusing on submissions and contracts and publishing. Am I right? Of course, I’m right. Because I’m the best at being right.
God’s Unique Provision
I have been the very best
at anything I’ve tried,
far ahead of all the rest,
but that’s not vaunting pride;
it’s merely simple statement
of a gracious fact
that I’ve kept hidden, latent,
in my awesome native tact,
for you can see that I excell
in this vital quality
that most don’t handle very well,
and that my humility
rises on a looming pedestal
at which world can sigh and marvel.
As usual, this is a good one, Bob. Actually, perhaps one of your “best!”
I love this so much, Bob. Thank you. You’re the best!
Thank you for the perspective. I’ve only been a subscriber for a few months, but I can already tell the difference in how I feel about my writing and the approach I need to take in allowing it to reach bigger markets. I look forward to your posts!
Lori is right, Bob. You ARE the best! Your posts give us a lot to smile about. Thanks.
What a beautiful post. Thank you Bob for sharing your heart. I feel as you do. I’m not the best at anything. My husband even washes dishes better than I do. When I read over your list of 20 ways I could be best, my heart soared. I can be the best at smiling, complimenting, and writing a bad draft.
Bless you for your rich encouragement!
Thank you. I needed that reminder today. And laugh! That’s a great closer.
LOL! Love it and plan to get right on it … seriously!
Blessed! Well written!
And, quite possibly, the best encourager!
So true, and so encouraging. I want to be the best at writing reviews to help others — it’s still writing. Thank you, Bob. ✏️✏️✏️
Thank you for your encouragement, wisdom, and answer to prayer.
Wonderful post. Thank you, Sir.
Dr. Jordan Peterson points out that there was once a time in small rural towns (and I would add small tribes) when and where it could be realistic to be regarded as best at something, say hunting, fishing, spelling, teaching, janitoring, gardening, etc. In today’s electromagnetic mass media landscape we compete with nearly 8 billion others for the title of best at anything. A bit of scaled down realism is in order for sanity to prevail. Carl Jung once told us, “True education can only start from naked reality, not from a delusive ideal.”
You show us here that in reality we are each best at sharing our own Divinely granted gifts. Comparing ourselves to others is superfluous and not usually educational.
Thanks again for the reminder.
Bruce K.
I love this! Thank you
Thank you for the words of encouragement, Bob. I’ve gotten so frustrated over the years of having to wait in my book life as well as in other areas that I turned wait into an acronym for
While
Anxious (or antsy)
I
Trust (God)
Well, I think you’re the best writers conference speaker I’ve heard. I’ve still got a sticky note on my desk with your Mt. Hermon keynote points that I copied from my notes: lose your shoes, choose your hard, and use what’s in your hand. Best writing keynote I’ve heard.
Thank you for the blessing of this posting, Bob. It was very touching and encouraging.
So true, and so encouraging. I want to be the best at writing reviews to help others — it’s still writing. Thank you, Bob. ✏️✏️✏️
Now that one made me smile. Thank you.
Thanks, Bob. I really needed this today. I’ll need it tomorrow, too. And the next day. I need it so much that I printed it out and taped it to my CPU to remind me on those days I can barely make it through that there are ways I can be worthwhile even when I can’t stand up long enough to cook a meal. The Lord doesn’t expect me to be the best but to allow Him to be His best through my weakness.
Thank you – from someone who simply wasn’t ever the best at anything. But I do have an intense desire to excel at writing for the glory of God. Thanks again
Your blog spoke to me today after a hard week of my best not being good enough. Thank you.
Yup. Needed to hear this!
Of course you are! Faith and perspective are very key.
When one has written the best that one can then edited and edited and edited yet again, it’s time to check the requirements and submit, submit, submit.
Never mind how dry the mouth, trembly the fingers on the keys, and nagging that inner voice persists.
Just do it again and again and again, then leave it in God’s trustworthy hands remembering to give thanks to Him for the gift of writing that He gave you. It’s your voice for HIs purposes. Words have the power to change lives and He has chosen to use words that He inspires you personally to put on paper to do just that.
What a marvelous gift to have for His eternal purposes.