Clipped Wings

Some pet owners clip the wings of their birds. This is done for many different reasons, but the end result is the same. A clipped bird can only fly a very short distance before it has to land. It is incapable once clipped of doing what it was created to do. Fly.

In a sense, we were created to fly as well. Jesus wants us to have life more abundantly (John 10:10). We shouldn't clip our wings, but we should fly every opportunity we get.

What do I mean by that? If there's a contest you'd like to enter, but just don't think your work is good enough, enter it anyway. Always wanted to query an editor of a particular magazine but you left your courage somewhere along the yellow brick road beside the cowardly lion? Do it shaking like a leaf, but do it.

Too many times, we are the greatest hindrance to our achievements. God says we can do ALL things through Christ. Oh...wait...all things EXCEPT sell an article. A novel. A play. A poem...well, you get the picture. The bottom line is you can't sell what you don't submit.

I have a favorite quote that I'm going to paraphrase into a quote for writers-have no idea who said it, wish I did so I could give credit to the speaker- anyway, it's "She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly."

If you never climb on the limb (submit the writing) to start with and it breaks (an editor would have asked for your work) then you'll never know if you can fly (reach your dreams).

So fly. If you have a bumpy landing, get back up and try again. You're bound to soar some day, but if you never spread your wings, it could lead to a whole bunch of 'if only' regrets.