Who's Glory Are You Writing For?

post by Michelle Griep

Writers write for all kinds of reasons . . .

  - to escape reality

  - to create reality

  - because they 
     failed at selling 
     life insurance

But if you happen to be one of those "religious types," the standard answer when asked this question is, "I write for God's glory."

What does that even mean?

I hear that phrase thrown around a lot, probably because I hang out with Christians. But the thing is, I hear it even in my head every time I sit down to write . . . which begs the question how, exactly, does a mortal man accomplish such a huge feat? I hyperventilate just thinking about it. Who can capture God's glory in a net made of letters and words? Why would anyone try the impossible? Step a little closer and I'll tell you why.

Because God is a God of impossibility. 

In fact, the more impossible, the better. That's where His glory is really showcased.

But in what format? Must one sit down to write an epic analogy like Narnia? Or should one only write Biblical fiction? Where does that leave steampunk or blogging? Can one write for God's glory by penning a murder mystery?

Yep. Take a look at the Bible, at all the different forms of writing. There's poetry in Song of Solomon. Narratives just about everywhere. Jesus told fictional tales with a truth woven in. Some of Paul's writings read like blog entries, and the book of Revelation, if sold in today's market, would classify as a fantasy or maybe even a dystopian.

I don't think God is interested in the style or format of your writing any more than He's particularly bent out of shape about what you ate for breakfast today. God's business is heart business, and if your heart/mind/soul belong to Him, you don't need to stress about about how to write for His glory. You will.

"The good man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."

Luke 6:45

Perfect for  NANOWRIMO.

Like what you read? There’s more. WRITER OFF THE LEASH: GROWING IN THE WRITING CRAFT is a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn’t know how to take their writing to the next level.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. Follow her adventures and find out about upcoming new releases at her blog, Writer Off the Leash, or stop by her website. You can also find her at the usual haunts of Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.