To Write with Purpose and Perseverance, Take a Page from the Magi’s Story

By Lana Christian @LanaCWrites

The first half of Matthew 2 chronicles how the Magi found and worshipped the Christ Child. But
Matthew ends their breathtaking story on a whispered footnote. Verse 12 says that, to avoid
Herod, the Wise Men “returned home by a different route.” Our 21st-century minds tend to
dismiss that as “they traveled a county road instead of the highway.” But historical truth paints
a harsher picture. When Herod realized the Magi weren’t returning as ordered with news of Christ, he would have commanded all the troops patrolling Roman roads to intercept and arrest the Magi. To avoid capture, they had to flee. Judea’s geography left them with few options for an unplanned cross-country trek—and all were in directions opposite from home. Navigating mountains, deserts, and wilderness was more than physically challenging. It was the first acid test of the Magi’s fledgling faith (chronicled in my book Survival Secrets).

In many ways, their trek mirrors our writing journey. It takes longer than we plan. Characters behave badly. Plots can unravel. A sagging middle mires us in uncertainty. We run low on creative resources. We wonder if our story is riding off the rails—or if the effort is futile.

Additionally, life often detours us. Work, family, or health issues may halt our writing for a
season.

Even when our path starts out straight, it’s often rerouted.  Repeated rejections of our manuscript. A write-and-revise request that consumes six months of rework. A publisher goes out of business or merges with another, sending a coveted book contract back to Ground Zero.

Any number of things can force us to “travel by a different route.”

To turn our writing dream into reality, we need to persevere—with passion, grit, and faith. Faith that we heard God right with that initial inspiration for the book. Faith that it pleases Him when we write. Faith that we should still pursue our dream, no matter how distant the goal feels. Faith that no roadblock is insurmountable with God.

Eugene Peterson said, “Success is long obedience in the same direction.” Writing is long obedience to a settled vision—one that counters  disappointments and detours with continuing resolve.

Some of the Bible’s most glorious words are in Isaiah 9:2 (NIV): “The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light.” In this verse, the Hebrew word for “great” means “great in substance,
magnitude, intensity, importance, and extent.” It’s a beautiful prophecy of Christ’s coming, but
it also reminds us that the third entity of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, lives in us. Because it does,
our writing can light darkened corners of people’s lives. It’s not our job to direct where that
light lands, only to be faithful in letting our light shine.

Many denominations celebrate Epiphany on January 6. Epiphany, which means “appearance”
or “manifestation,” commemorates when the Magi found the Christ Child. So, as we begin
2026, let’s take a page from the Wise Men’s story. They risked their reputations and more while
pouring immense time and resources into pursuing what they felt divinely called to do.

Their audacious faith led them to the most significant person in world history.

Let us do the same.

Have bold, unwavering faith as you write. Meet God on His terms. Plan to the extent you can.
Navigate detours as temporary setbacks. And pray throughout—trusting God for outcomes that
will exceed your expectations.

Where are you in your writing journey? Do you feel on track? Detoured? Discouraged? In
uncharted territory? Share your thoughts so we as a community can pray for you. May God
richly bless your writing this year!

Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. Since 2021, she has won more than a dozen awards for her biblical fiction and nonfiction. Her fiction includes Survival Secrets and New Star. Lana is a science, history, and archaeology geek who loves hiking, secret staircases, and masala chai tea. Her greatest desire is that her stories will immerse readers in a place and time they may know little about but will come away with an experience that exceeds their expectations. Connect with Lana on her Website and Facebook.