Insecurity and the Writer

Now I don't know about you, but I could totally relate. Insecurity is the BFF of the artist. We drain something from our souls, sometimes drip by agonizing drip, then throw it to the world, praying that someone will appreciate it.

I know this video is completely staged, but the truth in it shouts like Sue Sylvester with a bullhorn. Artist of any kind, whether they be writers, painters, or actors, all want the subjective public to like them, to see their work and say YES!

I want to add something, though. The other day, inspired by Lisa's post, I pulled out my iPod and started reading. I felt inspired to look in the Doctrine and Covenants. And I read this:

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

I couldn't help but draw parallels to my writing. I do feel called to this work. I know that I need to do this, that the Lord has given me this as a calling for my life. How can I do anything but step forward?

For me, verse 6 stood out as the perfect blueprint: having faith in the Lord and his gifts right at the beginning, and being virtuous in following the commandments and staying close to the Lord through prayer and scripture study.
Then knowledge, or doing the research for my books and learning all I can about the writing craft, but remembering temperance, that I cannot run faster than I have strength and there must be moderation in all things.
I need to have patience with myself, with the process, with publishing, as well as showing kindness to all that I come in contact with during this journey.
In godliness, I need to remember that I am an example, a light on a hill. What I write represents not only me, but the God I profess to follow.
Charity, or giving of myself through this work is the only way to find myself-- "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39
Along with that I need to remember not to boast of myself, but of my God who has given me these gifts to serve Him.
And last, but certainly not least, I must be diligent. I must work. I must write. I must DO. I cannot follow all these other things and not DO the work.

But what does he promise in verse 7? "Ask, and he shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." So I have no need to fear or feed the insecurities of the natural man, for this, ALL this, is in the Lord's perfect hands.