Good People with Imperfect Pasts

When I first started writing Sojourners, I worried my characters were too nice. That they were too good. Who wants to read about perfect people? I surely don’t want to write about them. But as the story progressed, I realized that perceived perfection wasn’t accurate. 

The main character's flaws are up front and on display because the story is told from her perspective. Most of her insecurities and internal wounds are known or revealed early on, but the secrets of those around her have to be discovered.

The characters in this story haven’t always been who they are now portrayed as. Just like those around us, they deal with past hurts, abuses, issues with addiction and anger. They struggle with their identity, their purpose, and their giftings. 

It takes courage to move forward. As you will see on the Path of the King, there are often obstacles—weeds, branches, rocks—blocking the way ahead. But the way back to what was is wide open and clear. We often long for the Path of Least Resistance. But our calling is not along that way. That path leads to apathy, deceit, sickness and death.

I guarantee you things will not go as you expect them to. You can plan and prepare, but things in the natural have a way of shifting to represent the supernatural. There is a real enemy out there looking to steal, kill, and destroy. To wander around without this knowledge is dangerous. 

The Path of the King may be hard, but it produces fruit. Faithfulness, perseverance, patience, courage, maturity. The King is all about identity, and He will call you to walk in a way that brings out the best and the worst in you. All so He can cultivate and prune. You will not be the same, even one day down the trail. 

So are my characters still good? Some are, yes. Some want to be. Some don’t. But none of them are who they were. Choices have been made, and will be made, that will set a destiny in motion they didn’t plan for. 

And the journey is only getting started.