This is my second to last article for PSI. It feels like the end of an era.
For four years I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Mark Tronson, Russell Modlin, Sophia Sinclair, and many others who’ve created an incredible platform for young writers. Giving us a place to express our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. All the while inspiring and showing us how to grow as journalists and writers.
It’s time for me to spread my wings and soar towards other endeavors, but also to create space for new aspiring writers to have a turn at learning how to hone their skills.
I have to smile, to think of what this journey will teach them. I know it’s taught me much.
The delicate art of tenacity
Writing articles every five weeks meant having to plan and manage my time well. When I first started, this was not a strength. In fact, I almost said “no” because I knew what a challenge it would be for me.
It was definitely a struggle to get articles in on time. It took creative thinking. I learned to plan for it by growing up a bit and adding it to my calendar.
Managing my time wasn’t the only thing I had to find tenacity for. Often I had no idea what to write about so I began viewing my daily life for inspiration. Doing this not only helped me see the best in every situation I faced, but helped me learn these lessons on deeper levels.
In a way it forced me to figure out how to overcome the obstacles in my life, and how to understand them so I could write about it from a victorious place, using my struggles as learning points for said articles.
The delicate art of research and knowing when to write my opinion
One surprising lesson came in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
We often speak our opinion without thought to the consequences.
We rage at each other on social media, condemning one another’s beliefs, and in my humble opinion we forget how much we share, or have in common. We’re too busy drawing lines in the sand and picking sides.
Knowing that what I wrote was potentially going to thousands of people, it made me realize I needed to make sure I really stood by what I said.
The Bible talks about teachers and leaders being judged harsher for the things they teach (James chapter 3, verse 1). It’s a surreal thought. One I think more of us need to recognize.
What it really meant was I had to actually research and find the truth to everything I wanted to write for PSI. It meant writing my articles would take longer.
It’s like the iceberg analogy. When we see an iceberg, we’re only looking at the tip, a small fraction of the greater whole. And what I was sharing in these 600 - 900 word articles was the same. Which made the words all that more precious.
It’s a lesson that carried over into my life too. To recognize I needed to hold my tongue and assess a situation from all sides before I verbally railed at someone.
It’s surreal to be saying farewell, but as I pursue a career as a novelist, I know I must let go of this time to move forward in others. I must move into the destiny God placed on my life.
Here’s a glimpse at what I’m moving towards:
“Prophecy. Destiny. Like the bark of an Elderpine those words have turned bitter on my tongue.
My life lays in ruins. Shattered like sea-glass and scattered to the wind. It would be easier to catch starlight than to find each broken piece and bring it together again. What will become of the future foretold if I fail in my task?
But I can’t change my course now. My feet are set to a path I cannot escape. Destiny calling me ever onward. I shall grasp after every shard, searching to the end of my days for every piece that’s been scattered.” (The Rose Of Admirias, a novel by Charis Joy Jackson)
It’s been a precious four year journey. Many scattered lessons to create a more whole me. But it’s time for it to come to a close, because I have other lessons I need to learn from my short stories, screenplays, and novels.
I’ll miss sharing what God has taught me here with PSI, but I’d love for you to continue journeying with me. I know I have many new adventures and voyages ahead yet.
Charis Joy Jackson works as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organisation in Queensland. During the day she mentors young adults, teaches on several topics including worship, intercession and how to makes movies. In her spare time she spins stories of speculative fiction and captures her crazy dreams in print. https://www.charisjoyjackson.com/
Follow Charis Joy Jackson:
Previous articles: https://randomthoughtsanddreams.blogspot.com/
Sign up to Writing Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e6f4f5706a9c/follow-an-author-charis-joy-jackson
The Dreamcatcher’s Journal: https://theddreamcatchersjournal.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/charisjoyjackson
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Charis Joy Jackson works as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) a non-profit organisation in Queensland. During the day she mentors young adults, teaches on several topics including worship, intercession and how to makes movies. In her spare time she spins stories of speculative fiction and captures her crazy dreams in print. Her debut novel, The Rose of Admirias, will soon be available for pre-order on https://www.charisjoyjackson.com/story.html
Follow Charis Joy Jackson:
Previous articles: https://randomthoughtsanddreams.blogspot.com/
The Dreamcatcher’s Journal: https://theddreamcatchersjournal.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/charisjoyjackson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charisjjackson/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charisjoyjackson/