GAiN EUROPE for ADVENTIST COMMUNICATORS

This morning I climbed the mountain.  585 metres, the highest mountain in this region of Slovenia.  Starting in the darkness and mist in the valley it is stunning to climb the steep path, rise above the mist, and see the sunrise.  A wonderful place to meditate and start the day.  Yet shortly after sunrise at 6:55 am I found myself heading back down into the valley – and the intense pressures that will be packed into the last day of this conference.  Yet when Stanborough Press editor, Julian Hibbert, stood up to lead the morning devotional, his heart felt talk followed on the same theme that was already in my mind.

Julian touched the real lives of producers, editors, and communication directors.  He started by asking them what they liked most about media production.  Gabi from Germany stated,  'Meeting a lot of interesting people and jumping into their lives'.   Other thoughts included, 'I can express my thoughts in creative writing.'  'Working with creative colleagues.'  'Editing,'  'The joy of seeing a product develop.'

Julian then noted and challenged our thinking by stating, 'Nobody said Deadlines, constant pressure, or merciless demands.'   Here, us communicators are here as a group – but tomorrow we go home alone.  In other words, we are on top of the mountain but will be heading down into the valley.

Time for the Bible.  Daniel chapters 7 – 9.  Scanning through those chapters Julian pointed out that as an editor and communicator, Daniel wrote down the substance of his dreams but that he was deeply troubled by his thoughts.  By 8:27 he states he was 'worn out and lay exhausted for several days.'  Here is a man with a great responsibility to publish and proclaim but who feels drained.  His creative courage is depleted.  How did he succeed?  In chapter 9 he turns to the Lord in prayer, including praying for his people – and God answers.  'You are highly esteemed!'  And Daniel finds the creative courage to finish the book.

For Julian, as an editor, with all the demands in his job, this story is an encouragement.  If Daniel is revived and restored then there is the same positive, creative promise for each one of us.  God will keep our creative courage strong.