At the time of writing this blog post, I’ve been a freelance writer for 6 and a half years. November 2018 marked my first retainer client as a freelance digital marketing assistant. This role involved writing different forms of content, including social media copy and blog writing. It was a great foundational gig for me to explore and develop the different ways I could serve clients in their business through writing.
Now, over six years later, it’s more apparent to me than ever before that God has been up to something from the very beginning. When I reflect on the opportunities I’ve been blessed with in my freelance career and how it’s been sustained, it’s hard for me to ignore God’s hand going before me to prepare a path for me.
Especially as freelancing wasn’t a hard plan I had set out for. I didn’t know what freelancing was when I embarked on the journey after doing a media internship at my church. So it’s purely by God’s grace that the first freelance client I had ended up having a one-year contract with, and I was able to then snowball to gain other clients.
On the journey, God has brought me people who have helped me along the path. In the early stages of my freelancing, I met up with other freelancers who generously shared insight into the journey, what to expect and where to look for opportunities to grow my experience.
This helped me, especially as I was a remote worker pre-COVID, so it wasn’t as popular or common as it currently is post-COVID.
However, I’ve been able to make a living as a freelancer for six years now. It has by no means been without its challenges. But God has been with me throughout it all. Like His word says, He has never left me or forsaken me. And just like a friend does, He has encouraged me in the more challenging times, when client work has been challenging.
Freelancing has been my sole source of income for the past six years, covering my rent and all other bills, enabling me to make a living from it – that’s throughout the fluctuation of income that often comes with the rollercoaster ride of freelancing.
The uncertainties of freelancing have pushed me to lean on God for provision, trusting that He is my ultimate provider. And freelancing has allowed me to see this time and time again. From working directly with the founders of small businesses to working with senior editors of national newspapers, freelancing has given me a unique insight into how to serve different audiences and steward the gift of writing that God has given me.
In challenging moments, I seek God, asking Him what next step He wants me to take so that I can authentically and accurately glorify Him even in the low times. This has led me to take innovative ways of pitching to clients who have worked both in Christian and non-Christian spaces.
Ultimately, freelancing has taught me that God will always provide for me, my giftings and calling to be a writer are worship to God, and He will bring the right resources and people around me as long as He has me on this path.
Through my blog and newsletter, God has also revealed to me the power of the voice He has given me and how it can impact and encourage others on their creative journey.
Scriptures to help you on the journey of self-employment:
Some scriptures to help you when you are feeling challenged or even tempted to leave freelancing:
- The Lord Is a Provider – Genesis 22 – “So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Trust God will provide for you even in times when you can’t yet see it. Abraham, at the time of going to the mountain, didn’t know what the provision would look like, but because of his faith, he still journeyed, and God came through in what seemed like the last minute to provide for him.
- Created to give God Glory through your giftings/creations- Matthew 25: Using your talents to glorify God. The servant who buried his talent and didn’t use it was called “a lazy and wicked servant”. This should motivate you to use and steward the gifts and talents god has given you well.
- Perseverance – James 1: 2-3. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” END Trials are an opportunity for growth. There may be trials that come with being self-employed, but see it as a pain point for growth. Perseverance is like faithfulness, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so ask God for help amid your trials. He is faithful to grace you for the trial he is calling you to.
Creativity With the Creator: Including God In Your Creative Process is my debut book that speaks more about including faith in your creations. It’s out on Amazon and Audible.
