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NOW HIRING: Writers for God. REWARD.
The sign hung on a majestic golden gate. "Reward?" Andrea wondered. "What kind of reward would God be offering?"
Andrea placed a hand on the massive gate and pushed it open. Suddenly, she was surrounded by white light. The ground was misty, and the air was cool and sweet. She walked down a path that sparkled like diamonds.
She was lead into a grand room with marble floors and high ceilings. A big crowd of people was gathered around a glowing light.
"This must be the place!" Andrea said excitedly. She joined the crowd, and after a few moments, heard a rich voice speak.
"Welcome my children. Today, I have called you here to give you three special gifts."
The crowd murmured softly.
The voice spoke again, "The first gift I’m giving you, is the gift of writing. Each one of you has the unique talent that makes you writers – good writers. Not everyone is given this talent. Make sure you remember where this talent came from; it is not your own."
"The second gift I’m giving you, is a...I’ll call it a...writing flair. This is what gives your writing a unique style that is unlike any other. It distinguishes your writing from someone else’s. This is how so many different writing forms and ideas come into existence." There was a slight pause. "And finally, my children, comes your third gift. This gift, for those who willingly receive it, is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. My Spirit will guide you whenever you ask Me. Use My Spirit to guide you in all your writings."
"Some of you may be here for the wrong reasons. But for those of you with a passion for writing, humble yourselves and go out into the world to become writers of God. Do not take My gifts for granted. Whom will you choose to glorify?"
"Whom will you choose to glorify...Whom will you– "
Andrea sat straight up in bed. Light was streaming in through her bedroom window. "It’s morning already?" Andrea thought to herself.
Downstairs, Andrea pondered her dream over a cup of coffee.
Andrea had always loved to write. It was all she did in her spare time. Somehow, it could always make her feel better when she was tired or stressed. But recently her hobby had been pushed out of the picture by her busy schedule and hectic job.
She laid her head on the table. "Are You trying reach me, God? Are You trying to tell me something?"
"What do you think?" The answer came.
"Are You saying I should just quit my job and focus only on writing? I don’t know if I can do that! I mean, I’ve won a few awards, and I’ve gotten some good recognition, but that’s it. There’s been no reward! You said there would be one! How am I supposed to stay financially stable?!"
"I’m not asking you to quit your job, Andrea. I’m not even asking that you write on a regular basis. But every time you do write, the benefits are for you. Every story or article you have written so far, has given you the glory. I need someone to write down all the things I want said. I need to reach my children. And sometimes it takes other people."
Andrea stared at the ground for a few moments. "You’re right," she realized. "It has been all about me."
* * *
Andrea ran outside to check the mailbox. She filed through the stack of mail: bills, adds, junk, junk...there it was. The next issue of "Wake Up" magazine had finally come. Andrea flipped through the pages until she came to a familiar title. Her newest article had just been published! And Andrea’s writing was taking a turn for the better.
About a week later, Andrea received a telephone call from a teenage boy. He told her that he’d been having suicidal thoughts ever since both of his parents had been killed in a boating accident. "Reading your article really saved my life. I just wanted to thank you. Otherwise, I, uh, might not be here today."
Andrea started crying. "Don’t thank me. Thank Jesus Christ."
"I already have."
After hanging up, Andrea ran upstairs and jumped on her bed. "God, thank You for opening my eyes. Now I know what a true reward really is."
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