. . . has been told. We as Christian writers or writers who are Christians—however politically correct you must be in expressing this fact—are really telling derivative tales of this magnificent base story. No matter how fascinating, how lovely, how terrifying and horrid, it cannot match the absolute truth of the greatest story ever told. The Creator revealed the story of Truth, and mankind has either been trying to retell it, or deride or deny it, or imitate it or find another way to complement it since he decided to write things down.
What better way to illustrate all the unusual aspects of the original story than by including them conceptually in fiction? The myriad voices declaring the mysteries and miraculous goings-on in our world, proclaiming the uniqueness of individual perceptions and/or group realizations . . . with the hope of divine anointing upon the writing—at least for some of us.
We can argue back and forth about labeling our work, about reaching the lost—the how-tos and the how-not tos—about what is good writing and what is bad writing, but I submit to you that any work done in obedience to Christ is a work of art. I am not saying that this work is necessarily meant for human consumption, but I am saying that it has outstanding value to our Lord, probably more value than we can conceive of in our human limitations.
He asks so little of many of us. He selects and produces the character needed to do and achieve the very hard things which many of us will never be asked to do. How many of those reading this post will have martyrdom thrust into their lives? How many will be tortured for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Many of us will simply be nudged to speak the Name and Love of Jesus to a neighbor or worldly friend. Others will be given the task of writing a profound novel, a memoir, a non-fiction testimony of horrible trials which ultimately resulted in a triumph of the soul . . .
What has He asked of you? To be faithful? To walk in His Spirit? To be His witness whether in word or deed? To set aside selfish desires and serve Him without reserve? Well . . . yes, all of the above more than likely. Are those easy to accomplish? Certainly not. But then the Cross wasn’t easy either, but He did it so we could change the course of our lives and make them better both now and for eternity.
So, embrace The Greatest Story Ever Told and retell it from your perspective of newfound or well-traveled Truth. There can be no better story told, and if He’s called you to write fiction, you have a leg up on the plot and characters. Life and you and I and so many others will fill the pages in various formats, styles, voices, themes, plots, characters, and wonderful winsome stories . . . based on the truth.
Truly a gift from God.
Father, I want nothing else to do but to serve you in the ways you’ve designed for me to do. Let me prove faithful, and continue to prod me, provoke me, and spur me on to those things you want from me. I am yours. You’re all I’m livin’ for. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please pray for Kristy Dykes.*