Seek And You Will Find ... by Tracy Smoak

My life unraveled in the fall of 2021. I stepped away from a secure teaching position to care for a family member injured in an accident. With no sure income, I stalled from a fastpaced routine to one with lots of time on my hands.

My five-year plan disintegrated, but God’s reassignment was unfolding. Wondering why God allowed many doors to slam shut, I asked Him, “What am I supposed to do now?”

His answer surprised me. For the first time in years, I had the opportunity to sit uninterrupted with Him and reflect upon the Word. I had studied the Bible for years, and even led small-group studies, but days on end of quiet forced me to really listen.

My dream always had been to write and publish a book, but somehow things never took off. With the new freedom, I committed to attending the Florida Christian Writers Conference and joined Word Weavers International. I wasn’t exhausted from being in a classroom all day with papers waiting to be graded at night. Instead, I spent weeks sending queries and drafting book proposals.

Has your regular schedule derailed? If so, don’t despair. God may be transitioning you to a new assignment. In October at the conference, an acquisitions editor for Bold Vision offered a contract for a Bible study about encouragement.

Elated, I returned home with renewed hope. Still, there was lots of waiting. To fill the hours, I took field trips to scenic areas around my home. As a native Floridian, I cherish the beautiful nature that includes 1,400 named bodies of water in Lake County. Fourteen lakes connect across the land and offer stunning views around every bend in this region of Central Florida.

Equipped only with a cell phone camera, I trekked under concrete bridges before dawn swatting giant mosquitoes and dodged alligator tracks along white sandy shorelines to capture God’s beauty. On each field trip, God would slow me to notice a tranquil vista, then I would do my best to capture the image. Funny thing is, I have no formal training as a photographer, so I knew whenever a picture turned out that it was a gift from God to be shared.

The drought I feared turned out to be a season overflowing with blessings. This could be true for you, too. God wasn’t denying me anything. Instead, He transported me to a new setting to serve as a scribe of His goodness.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water’ and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:17 NIV)

One year after that discouraging day of packing up and closing my classroom after fifteen years of teaching, I received publishing contracts for two devotionals with my full-color pictures from Redemption Press, a contract from Ambassador International for a novel, and Guideposts accepted a devotional. With no earthly agent, I can only attribute this to God’s favor.

In the stillness of a recent morning, I asked God if I was on the right path. Should I continue taking photographs of nature that bring joy, or was I hiding out in an “easy” place? The answer I heard from Him was, “Take the beauty to those who don’t have it.”

I interpret that to mean continue creating and asking for His inspiration for art. Ironically, there are no guarantees. The publishing industry is challenging, even for veterans. Profit is unpredictable, particularly for an untried voice.

But my eyes are learning to see beyond physical constraints to spiritual opportunities. I am trusting God, stepping into unknown arenas, and asking for His guidance on how to proceed. He already has mapped out where I can flourish and bring love to others. He will do the same for you.

My favorite Bible verse is, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NIV)

May God bless your journey and help you see detours as adventures where He will surprise you with His grace.

Tracy Smoak

Tracy L. Smoak lives in sunny Florida, where she writes to bring hope. Her first 30-day devotional, Living Water to Refresh Your Soul, features color images of tranquil waters. Redemption Press launches her second devotional, Arranged with Love, in February 2023. That hardback showcases flowers and landscapes. Bold Vision publishes Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place in the spring of 2023. Ambassador International has contracted for her debut novel about a small town with women organizing to help victims of domestic violence. Tracy blogs weekly about finding hope at http://www.tracysmoak. com.