Goodbye*

*at least for now

I need to stop writing.
Maybe for a short while. Maybe for good.
For now, I need to think, to pray, to be.
I need the next steps to make sense to me.

A couple of months ago, I felt the Spirit urging me to take a step back and to take account of everything God had done in and through me during my time sitting behind

The Raven's Writing Desk

. I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words. Put together countless graphics—including many drafts you’ve never seen. Perhaps more than anything, I’ve learned to receive negative feedback well.

Of this, there was plenty. One aspect hit me harder though.

On occasion, I’ve heard from readers directly, telling me about how my work has impacted them personally—and positively. I’m not sure I was ever fully prepared to experience that. I always trusted that the Lord would use this work, but some of your stories have truly buried themselves in my heart. I will continue to pray for you.

There’s a lot more that has happened behind the scenes too. I started a degree a couple of years ago, I have sent off book proposals and article pitches, and I’ve collaborated with other writers on various projects, some which went forward, others didn’t.

To be very clear, I’m not sad. I’m not depressed. I’m actually remarkably calm. I put off writing this article for a couple of weeks¹, because I thought I’d struggle.

Now I’m here though, it feels right.

I need to say goodbye, because I don’t want to just leave. I may not know you personally, dear reader, but everything I have written has been for you. When I sit down and use this talent God has given me, I do so for your edification, so that God might use my spilled ink to illustrate strengths and struggles in your own life, as he has in mine. I haven’t taken that lightly. I don’t take that lightly now. I have lost many opportunities because I wasn’t willing to write anything that I didn’t feel was edifying.

Difficult to read, yes.
Convicting, yes.
Rebuke, at times, but always rebuking myself first.

Clickbait and fear-mongering.

Never.

I recognise now that—at least for the moment—the kind of writing I feel God called me to pursue these past years, is no longer resonating. I’m okay with that.

I would rather put down my pen, and sit on the sidelines for a season.²

Maybe a long season.

This newsletter marks the end of this chapter.

This is where I stand up from the writing desk, to kneel down in the prayer closet.

I would appreciate your prayers as I spend time with God, discerning what he would have me do next.

Thank you for reading, both today, and in days gone by.

I don’t know what kept you reading, but I hope God used it for good.

Grace and Peace,

Adsum Try Ravenhill

Recommended Media

Usually, I leave some recommendations for the week, but that’s not going to suffice today. Thankfully, a couple of months back I wrote an article all about a bunch of writers I love dearly, and who I would commend to you. This included

Bob Allen

,

John E. Dobbs

,

Karen Swallow Prior

,

E.M. Welcher

,

Rachel Joy Welcher

,

Chris Martin

,

Claire Adderholt

,

Justin Allison

,

Wendy Willard

,

Dan Alcantara

,

Kelly Ottaway

,

Adam Thomas

, and

Amy Mantravadi

.

Sharing the Love This Valentine's Day

To these, I would add a couple of writers that have come across my path since:

Christina Lynn Wallace

’s breakthrough article last month will likely appear on many “Top Reads of 2025” come this December. It is raw, truthful, and might be difficult for some of you to read. I sincerely hope you’ll push through and do so anyhow.

The truth about the Enneagram that turned my blood cold...

I’m 90% sure that

Parker Settecase

’s writing and YouTubing skills are directly correlated with the length of his moustache. On that note, just a quick warning Parker, stay away from anyone named Delilah. With that said, what I love about his work is that it rejuvenates the act of learning and developing oneself with a sense of romanticism that has been sorely lacking these past few decades. I love to see it.

How I Use Notebooks for Creative Writing

Finally, here’s one from the archives. An important reminder that self-control isn’t something we develop all on our own.

Fighting my Sin of Least Resistance

1. And then left it in my drafts to consider and reread later.

2. I think this might be my first and only sports reference since launching the Raven’s Writing Desk. You’re welcome sports fans.