My Writing Story
[Written September 2014]
I started to dip my hands in ink about three years ago, when my spirit was clamouring for a new hobby. Towards the end of 2012, as I was feeling restless, I started to pray for something else to do— maybe another corporate job or a business of my own. And before the clock struck 2013, I set up www.inkscribbler.com as a personal project, to give me something to build and look forward to. (My first entry ever)
Choosing to write full time is a leap of faith, and how the decision came about still makes my heart flutter. It took nine months of praying for discernment before I had a clear ‘go signal’ to jump! During this time, there were three days where I felt the most desperate. I prayed, and faithfully, God revealed his plans for me with such clarity that I can no longer doubt that He is alive.
I just want to share how the decision to do Ink Scribbler full time came about. It is intensely biblical—I read my bible chronologically almost every day and write about it in my journal. In March 9, I was stressed because I had to call off a project 3 days before the event date.
Exodus 33:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised you on oath..”
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest
Exodus 35:30 The Lord has chosen Bezalel, son of Uri.. and he has filled him with the Holy Spirit, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold,… to work in wood and engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. … the Lord has giving skill and ability to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to the the work just as the Lord has commanded.
It seemed unfair that I was in Exodus, so I ignored this. Although it did fit exactly (I needed rest, was sleeping 4 hours a day to generate web content and was also getting sick) and it talked about art. Too exact! Must be a coincidence.
In April 11, I had conversations with officemates that left me pretty discouraged. I shared to them that I really wanted to follow my passions, but I had the burden of providing for myself. That night, I prayed desperately again and read this: (fyi, I read chronologically)
Deuteronomy 15:4 However, there need to be no poor people among you, for in the land of the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you. If only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations, but none will rule over you.
I thought, is this another coincidence? Or is it about time for me to actually believe that there is a God who talks to me so specifically, knowing how my day went?
From there I knew that I was going to resign. In May, I asked the blessing of my parents (they gave their blessing, after much tears and conflict, hehehe! Anyways, I was already very determined). But I didn’t feel that it was the “right time” to resign yet. I decided to wait for Ink Scribbler to earn half my salary before I jump.
In June 13, I thought I would wait for August to resign, so that I could go to several company trips scheduled for me in July. That morning, I received another email sending me to Singapore on the 1st week of July. I love to travel and this is a perk that I will surely miss. I knew that God has made it clear to me that I should resign, but I had little faith so I asked for one more clear message. By then, I was already reading Psalms. That night I read this:
Psalm 105:37-45 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold. And from among their tribes no one faltered. Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail, he fed them well with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out. It flowed like a river in the desert. For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy. He gave them the lands of the nations and they fell heir to what others had toiled for. That they might keep his precepts and observe the laws. Praise the Lord.
And once again, the verse came when I had prayed the most desperately, on the same day that I needed it the most. I wrote my resignation letter the next morning, waited for my boss to come back from Paris the next week, asked for a breakfast meeting and handed it in.
On July 31, I wrote this entry as a farewell to my corporate chapter. It was an amazing learning experience and no doubt that I was supposed to spend a bit more than three of my best years working for the world’s best beauty company.
It took nine months to make my crazy decision. And God has been overwhelmingly faithful to His promises, showering me with providence, giving me divine opportunities— all the celebrity clients, collaborations with luxury brands and the big projects — surely this is God’s hand at work. This is the Lord’s business, and it is my privilege to take part in it, fulfilling my mission to make disciples of all nations. Intrinsically, the business is about words and creating a message. What better way do I have to witness to His glory than this? And to add to that, He gave me this awesome story. People always ask me why I resigned from L’Oreal, how I became a calligrapher, where I learned it all—-to me, it is synonymous to asking, who my God is.
Call me crazy. I’m so crazy for God. He is amazing!
tGbtg
Alexis