For me, the absolute best thing about writing is watching God's plan unfold. God was active in my previous career, but my dependence on him has increased a hundredfold since I began freelancing. I listen for his guidance as to which publications to study and which submissions to send.
Every job, every query, every word written depend entirely on his guidance and his will. This is how we are meant to live, and as I continue to put pen to paper, and one foot in front of the other, I am blown away at what God can do with a humble servant. Acceptance letters are streaming in like never before, and I'd be lying if I claimed responsibility. It's all him. He is a rewarder of those who seek after his will.
Friends, never give up faith on the dreams God has placed in your heart. Remember the one who put them there in the first place. He will carry you to the places you need to be, and walk with you every step of the way.
Volunteering to help out with your local church is one of the best ways a Christian writer can find inspiration and gain credibility with publishers. Writers naturally tend to migrate to the ministries that are most in need of their services, such as writing and editing the church newsletter or web content. This is a worthy use of your time and talents, but have you considered expanding your ministry? Volunteering our time outside of the realm of writing allows us to gain new experiences, and expand our writing abilities.
Maybe you already know that you are a gifted children's writer, but how well do you understand the needs of your audience? Volunteering with your church's children's ministry will help you to understand where the interests of today's children lie, and how you can best nurture their spiritual growth through your writing.
Involvement within your local church will help you gain the experience you need to break into a new market, not to mention the limitless rewards of giving in the name of Christ. New ideas for our writing are all around us. All we need to do is ask God to lead the way, and be a willing servant when he is ready to use us. Here are some things to consider when choosing a ministry:
- What are my interests and talents?
- Where are the needs within my church?
- How much time do I have to give?
- Have I sought God's will in this decision?
When it comes to freelance writing, Christians have a decided edge against the competition. Freelance writing is a fierce profession, accompanied by the pitfalls of rejection letters and an unsteady employment status. Many writers leave the profession because of these harsh conditions.
For the Christian writer, these difficulties are yet another means for God's strength to shine through in our lives. We are not called to be writers to gain notoriety or wealth, instead we are called to use our talents to bring the light of Christ into a dark world. We do not define ourselves by the number of clips we have, nor do we need an editor's approval to be assured of our place in this world.
If your desire is first to please God in all that you do, he will direct your path. The writer's gift is not one to be cast aside as some childish dream. It is a calling that God can use to impact generations to come, if you are willing to let him.
Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness. - Isaiah 30:8
Labels: encouragement, inspiration
It may seem overwhelming to add a blog to your To Do list. With work and families, it's hard to squeeze anything else into the day. If you are a writer, then blogging is well worth the time investment. Here are 5 reasons why you should blog:
- Blogging keeps your writing fresh. We've all heard the saying practice makes perfect. When it comes to our writing, this is sound advice. The more you write, the better writer you will become. Blogging gives us another venue to perfect our craft.
- A well kept blog will help you market yourself. Creating a blog will help you market and sell your writing skills to potential editors and clients.
- Establish your expertise in a field of interest through your blog. A blog is a great venue to show off what you know, and how well you can communicate on the subject.
- Earn extra income blogging. Blogging can be a great means of extra income for freelancers. There are lots of websites that are looking for writers to keep their blog content fresh. Try the ProBlogger Job Board, but be aware that these jobs aren't necessarily Christian in nature. Keep your eye out for suitable topics.
- Bring glory to God through your blog. A blog is yet another means that we can use our God-given gift for words to bring glory to Jesus and help spread the gospel. For more info, check out the Boundless Webzine article Blogging to Worship God by Bob Kauflin.
Last night my husband walked through the door with my 9-year-old step-daughter, M, who was proudly displaying the hard-earned A+ on a report on Bald Eagles. Baby G., now nearly 1 1/2, was so overcome with excitement at the sight of M. that she dropped to the floor in a rolling heap of squeals and giggles. But for the potatoes in the oven, I might have joined her.
Dinner was filled with talk of Bald Eagles: Stories of various family sightings, and culminated with a fantastic tale spun by 2-year-old A. She had not only seen a bald eagle like the faded bird on the antique highchair she often uses, but it had swooped down over the young tree in our backyard, scratched her cheek with its sharp talons, then soared off over a mountain. An even more amazing feat considering our home is nestled in the flatlands of the Great Plains. She concluded that it had continued on a journey, "around the whole world." Later she confessed to M. that she had seen the big bird in a dream.
Storytelling is a wonderful part of the human experience, and one we are so often tempted to let go of in the midst of our busy world. If for the richness it brings to the family table alone, I plan to hold on with all I've got.
For a little story telling inspiration, check out Newberry Honor winner and Calvin College Prof. Gary Schmidt's lecture Of Duchesses and Sin Eaters: The Pattern of Story.
Labels: inspiration, links
