Sometimes we think it is. C’mon. You’re a writer—you think it’s all about what you write, how you write it, who sees it, who recognizes its brilliance, who sees through it and tsks, who hates what you do, who loves what you do . . . you, you, you.
Well . . . it’s not about you. It’s about God. Specifically about Jesus working through you via the Holy Spirit operating His counsel in you, not to mention his comfort when you concede it’s not really all about you.
Purpose demands a response. What is yours? Your purpose? Your response? If you admit writing plays a major role in the answers to these questions, then you have a job to do. However, before heading to the keyboard with the gung-ho mentality, remind yourself that apart from God, you can do nothing. You got it? Nothing. Not even breathe, let alone create marvelous stories with scintillating plots filled with complex and intriguing characters who will compel readers to stay engrossed in whatever style, format, rule-breaking, POV you write.
Evaluations can often be painful. Brandilyn Collins argues with herself about her talent, convincing herself at times that she’s a fraud as a writer and soon with this next book she’s working on, whatever it is, she’ll be exposed. Everyone will know. I find it wonderfully amusing because she’s not a fraud. She writes entertaining murder mysteries, having written a few novels for women’s fiction, and has landed umpteen contracts, been on bestseller lists, teaches at conferences and on her blog. She switched over from secular writing because of her love for Jesus who directed the move.
All over the blogosphere the cyclical controversy erupts about “Christian” fiction and why it should or shouldn’t be labeled as such. It stands to reason that those who write non-evangelical, mystery/thriller/suspense novels would be more inclined to decry the label, desiring for their books to compete on the same shelves with purely secular stories in the same venue. Some Christians who are writers insist their “worldview” cannot help but penetrate their stories regardless of their avoidance of the “gospel” or other “religious” specifics. Some demand the “right” to use cuss words or certain graphics to secure realism in depicting this world and its people.
None of us can determine what God plans to do with someone else. If they’ve blatantly done something in contrast to His Word, well, then we pretty much know they’re facing a spiritual dilemma. However, we can directly understand God’s role in our own writing because if it’s His purpose for us to write, He will engineer the process that is yielded to Him. And yielding that process is what we must do—however He desires, whatever it demands of us, and whenever He decides it should be done, completed, engaged, or rested.
Whatever or however you write, it always comes down—or maybe “Up” would be more appropriate—to the Lord. He’s the One who’s doled out the gifts and talents, the inclinations, the ability to learn something He intends to use for His glory.
And that’s the key: For HIS Glory. Not ours. It’s all about Him. Not about you. Not about me.
Thank you, God, that it doesn’t have to be about me. I have nothing to offer anyone without you. Zero. You working through me is the highest accomplishment I could ever hope to have in this life. Please do just that. Help me to be always willing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*