Question for Christian Writers...

I'm a christian who writes. I don't necessarily write christian type topics. I'll definitely have christian overtones in at least some of my writings because I'm a christian so it colors my writing.

So that being said, I write because I enjoy writing not because I feel called.

There's nothig else that I both enjoy doing and that I do well.

I can write for twelve hours straight, and I write quality stuff. Does that mean I am "called"?? I don't know. But I can't imagine I've been called to be a doctor.

I think for me it is both. I do believe that i am called to write and i do have a number of topics that i will be tackling soon but i also love writing.

Kevvers

I think of it as a stewardship issue -- God's given me an interest in writing (I'm not going to call it a gift or a talent or even an aptitude b/c that sounds like I've got the big head!) and also, ideas keep bubbling up.

So ... in order to be a good steward of both, I write.

Writing is also therapeutic. The characters go through stuff I'd hate to imagine for myself and say stuff to God and about God that I don't think I would consciuosly dare to say. If it only circulates as far as my critique partners and family, it could still reap blessings.

I'm always tempted to let everything and everyone around me suffer for the sake of My Art (I need a visual here of a dramatic gesture )so I'm glad being a Christian keeps me down to earth.

God has called each of us for a purpose, something that He intended each of us to do with our lives. Our calling is to do the work He's given us to do. That work comes in stages. There is a time to every purpose under heaven. If God intends for someone to be a writer, then His timing and results will prevail if the person is attentive to that call.

God has also given us the passions and the talents that we have for a reason. We're meant to do something with them. It's important to find out what that reason is and aim for that, not the success that we wish to have with it.

Right now, everything in my life points towards writing. I've always enjoyed writing, but the passion didn't develop earlier on. I knew what God wanted from me then and I did that. At this time in my life, I know that I'm supposed to do something with my writing. Whatever God desires to do with it is what I want to accomplish. Sure, I'd love to be a best-selling author, but my aim is to fulfill the work He's given me to do. So, I'm doing what I know to do and staying close to Him. It's been incredibly exciting.

My motto is: Honor God in everything. If I'm published, I'll praise Him. If I'm rejected, I'll praise Him.

I'm with Cowgirl-- it's a gift and a talent that should be used to glorify God just like everything else in our lives. I don't mean everything we write has to be "about" God, but everything in our lives should in some way be directed towards him. I try to use the gift he has given me in his service whenever I get the opportunity. Right now I am the editor of our church's little publication (something in between a magazine and a newsletter).

That said, I do feel that it's a calling. When I was a teenager it was obvious that I had a talent for writing but I always said "Feh! I will never do this for a living." But slowly I was swayed. One of the things that made me realize that it might be what God had in mind for me was the fact that my first publication of a short story was a "christian science fiction" short that ended up in one of those flyers they put out on the tables at church. It had a circulation of 40K, which is bigger than any periodical I've published in since. And I didn't even write christian fiction! It seemed like a total fluke but at that point in my life I realized God was leading me toward majoring in English (rather than running off and joining the navy, which... looking back, was an absurd notion).

My husband and I also prayed a lot before I quit my job to pursue writing full-time. We had a "plan" that I would quit when he got his yearly raise, but I just kept feeling pressed to do it IMMEDIATELY, which was risky and absurd. But I did it, and lo and behold our finances have held up. God has REALLY blessed us in going from two incomes to one, and it's amazing.

So yeah, I have seen signs that God is directing me to doing this, which I would call a "Calling." But if God wanted to direct me to do something else, I would be okay with that too. He's pretty good at directing. On the other hand, he might have to accept that I'll be taking along a pen and paper wherever we go.

JoNightshade said:

I'm with Cowgirl-- it's a gift and a talent that should be used to glorify God just like everything else in our lives. I don't mean everything we write has to be "about" God, but everything in our lives should in some way be directed towards him. I try to use the gift he has given me in his service whenever I get the opportunity. Right now I am the editor of our church's little publication (something in between a magazine and a newsletter).

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Absolutely. (A point I neglected to mention.) Writing for God doesn't mean that everything we write mentions God or Jesus. But what we write should ultimately reflect His image and ways. If you're hired to write a simple pamphlet for, say, a whole foods market, how do you do that? Write it with excellence and make your deadline, respecting the one who hired you to write it. That's what will glorify Him. It's the behind the scenes stuff as much as it is the writing.

I'd have to say both, although if I wasn't writing a quote-unquote Christian story, I don't think I'd have much motivation at all. I think PlotDevice and I have pretty similar approaches - God's got all these ideas percolating in our heads that we think would be edifying and interesting to other people, both Christian and non-Christian and it's just a blast to ride that wave of creativity.

I have often wished I had a "life calling" in the way of work that I've pursued over the years, but my life seems to have been more of a series of 'mini-calls,' career-wise. I guess it's all about seasons of life. I've always liked writing, and have put it to good use in other career choices, but it hasn't been until recent years that I've written for publication. But even though I've been published, I struggle with whether or not God has called me to BE a writer. I think some of the things I've written, I've been especially led to write. But I think my calling is more general than that; I think I've simply been called to follow where He leads. So if He leads me to teach elementary school for a season, or to coach figure skating, or to write poetry, I'll do so...but it's not like I feel this deep obligation to be writing best sellers because I've been called to "be a writer." I write what He leads me to write, and some days that just may be an encouraging note to a friend.

I have never been sure if I am called to write, but I hear God loves volunteers!

I've always been a believer that God gives us all special talents and he expects us to use them to the good of His kingdom. Actually there is a verse in the Bible about it. This one is from The Message version . . .

1 Corinthians 12:4
God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel clear understanding simple trust healing the sick miraculous acts proclamation distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.

Writing is a calling as far as I am concerned. That does not mean that everything I write is about scripture or about God. What it does mean is that I do the writing to the best of my ability under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

At work, I have written manuals for using computer programs. I have written some databases. I have developed and written policy. God should be in all I do. The scripture says "In everything I do, it should be done as unto the Lord".

Over the past few years I have been writing prayers, poems and essays. They are all meant to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. They may be from an open letter to an unborn child, to wedding blessings, to baptisms, to illness, to birthdays, to soldiers and many other subjects. They are personal. That is where God has led me at this time in my writing. If they do not bring glory to our Father, then I have done nothing.

My husband has talked to me about publishing my work. I have told him that is not why I write. If God wants it to be published, then it will come to be. I have started a website with some of my work on it, yet, I plan to include work from others that edify the Father.

Writing gives to others a part of me. If I cannot give excellence, then I do not need to give it. Excellence does not mean perfect. It means that I give much thought, search my heart, do my homework, seek the Father, and let the Holy Spirit guide me and do my best. That should be my motto whether I am writing, cooking, or anything else I might be participating in.

Although my writing does not meet a general public interest, it meets the needs of the hearts God means it to meet. That I may never be known by masses on this earth as a writer is no matter. Being known as an obedient child by my Father is everything.

God bless and thank you for listening.

thejunith

I kind of wonder about that myself. Attempting to be humble about it and probably failing miserably, I guess I define myself as a better Christian than I could have been. Nevertheless, I like writing secular stuff and I WANT to write Christian stuff, but I can't think of anything Christian to write about! (half the time, I can't find anything secular to write about either, but that's entirely not the point.)

I write because I enjoy writing. I'm a Christian becuase I believe in Christ. I don't really think of myself as a Christian writer, but my Christianity certainly influences my writing and sometimes permeates it, though not everything I write is obviously Christian.

I don't feel "called" to write, per say. I don't really feel called to do anything but to "whatsoever you do do it as unto God and not as unto men." Whether as a mother, or a writer, or a wife, or secretary.

God does call some people to very specific roles and professions, but I think most people could do a dozen different things and still serve God all the same.

HoosierCowgirl said:

I think of it as a stewardship issue -- God's given me an interest in writing (I'm not going to call it a gift or a talent or even an aptitude b/c that sounds like I've got the big head!) and also, ideas keep bubbling up.

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I like this. I haven't been feeling "inspired" to write lately, but perhaps seeing it as a stewardship issue will cause me to be better about writing.

I don't see it as a "calling" per se, mostly because in my experience, assuming callings can be a bit dangerous. It's so easy for me to think I've "heard" God telling me to do something, or to think God is "leading" me somewhere due to circumstances... But many, many times that is not the case. The best thing is to honor God in all circumstances, whether it's a calling or not. (Note: I'm not doubting that some people genuinely have received a call... I'm just unsure about it myself, lol...)

How's that for a long answer when I could have simply written: Calling? No. Something fun to do at times? Sure.

I tend to feel very happy and at peace when I write. I especially love to write manuscripts and feel very alive as my mind twists and turns the plots. I have been told by many - by some even outside of the family that I have a talent. I know God makes us and blesses us with the traits/talents we have. We should use them and I feel He wants to use mine.

I have prayed for the scripture of Psalms 37:4-5. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass."

This scripture is not what some might tend to think it means initially. I do not feel it means If we delight in the Lord, He will give us what we want. Instead, if we walk in His path and seek Him, He will align our heart's desire with His. We will begin to want what is right - the right path He has planned for us. He will show us what to do next.

However, it puzzles me that I have never gotten a manuscript published then. Then to tell the truth, I honestly have not tried all that hard I guess. Perhaps it's His timing I am to wait for.

I just recently got motivated again to try to send off a manuscript I have had for years. I felt God gave me an idea to alter it. I added more of a Christian theme to it, but it does not fit the Christian genre. I'm not certain I want it to. I want to possibly reach those who are not necessarily out looking for that type of book.

Problem is, the Christian genre most likely won't work for it. Then, the more secular/mainstream genre possibly won't like the Christian, though not preachy, premise.

I don't guess I really answered the op question. I don't write only Christian things. I think some Chritians are needed to witness more to those who are not Christians. I also think some are meant to minister to those who are Christians and need some guidance. Some are to cross the barriers. I think we all have different callings or missions. We can only do what we believe God asks for us to do today.