Yes, I do feel God has called me to write, though I'm also called to do a lot of other things as well (be a wife, mom, teach Bible, etc.). Several years ago, a friend of mine who also taught Bible studies at our church had mentioned that she was trying to get her Bible study published. I remember encouraging her, and thinking what a neat thing that'd be. A week or two later, I was on an airplane (does anyone else here pray a lot on airplanes?
), and God inexplicably laid it on my heart to write a Bible study for women dealing with depression and addictive/compulsive behaviors (based on my experience with that a couple of years earlier). I remember feeling like Gideon (mwah???!!!)...and prayed that God would confirm it, as I really had my doubts as to whether or not this was a real nudge from God. The next day, the pastor's theme was 'you should proclaim what God has done for you.' The day after that was another confirming message in the mail (I've forgotten it at the moment, though it's in my journal). Tuesday I started getting nervous, and made an appt. with my former counselor...I wanted to gauge whether or not she thought I was still battling anorexia, because I didn't feel I had any business teaching others how God could work in their lives, if I myself was still not surrendered to His work in mine. Thursday we met; I was too embarassed to tell her that I thought God wanted me to write a book, so we just chatted in general terms about how my life was going, and about what it meant to be "over" an eating disorder. Suddenly, out of the clear blue, she looked at me, and said, "You know, Rick Warren's got a workbook out now, for people dealing with addictive behavior. I bet you could do that." I asked her, "You mean you'd like me to do his workbook?", and she replied, "no, I mean I bet you could write one like that." After I caught my breath, I told her that that was why I was actually there, and that I'd been praying about that very thing. I went home and started writing, and finished it about 8 months later.
While writing it, I took writing courses, and after I finished it I went to writer's conferences with it. That led to other types of writing, and eventual publication. It's been very fulfilling, but I'm always reminded to do what I do with an ear to His voice, because He could change my direction at any moment. It's not just
what we do, but it's also whether or not we're doing what we're supposed to be doing
when He wants us to do it. That calls for daily communication. His "call" is to be a servant--and that takes on many forms daily, and throughout a lifetime.