by Allen Arnold
What Does God Think of Your
Writing?
As
writers, we often take our questions to industry experts, reviewers and readers.
We want to know how they like our story, ways we can improve our manuscript,
and how best to promote our novel.
After
all, who better than the Creator of heaven and earth, sunshine and beaches,
elephants and golden retrievers to bring the deepest questions about your
creativity and calling?
I invite
you to spend some time with God on the following questions.
1) God, what do you
think of my writing?
2) You’ve given me the desire to write – so why does it often
feel like this dream will never become a reality?
3) If I’m primarily writing for you God, would I be okay if
you were the only one who ever read my novel? If not, why not?
4) God, do I mostly write alone – relying on my own skill and
imagination – or with you? How can I more actively invite you into the process
so we can create together?
5) What areas of my writing do I still approach as a “spiritual
orphan” – like it is 100% up to me to make happen? How can I move from
independence in my writing to full dependence on you?
6) Does my validation really come from you God – or from how
others respond to my writing?
7) What is your definition
of success for this calling you’ve given me?
Don’t
rush through these questions. And remember – even though you are creative, the
goal isn’t for you to create your own answers. It is just the opposite. Only write
what God stirs in your soul. His answer may be a word, a sentence, or pages of
insight. It may be playful or poetic or serious. Don’t try to filter or
re-write his words.
Whatever he says – capture it in a journal even if it
doesn’t make immediate sense. A friend recently asked God to reveal what the
next step in his writing career was and he heard the word “canoe”. He thought
he was losing his mind. Later that day, God revealed exactly what the word
meant. It brought tears of joy to his eyes. God may want to reveal more layers
at a later time...through you asking him more questions, through a situation
yet to happen, or from the help of others. Be expectant...and patient.
If you
only hear silence, stay with it. Try again at another time or day. In John
10:27, he says my sheep hear my voice. He is your shepherd...and he still speaks.
Count on it. And if you hear an answer that clearly isn’t from God (“I hate
your writing”), realize the enemy has a voice too. Scripture says he is the
father of lies and that we must resist him in order for him to flee. Part of
growing in intimacy with God is that we become so familiar with the sound of
God’s voice that the enemy loses his voice.
The
primary reason God gave you the gift of creativity was so the two of you can
create together. Because as you create together, you grow in awareness, love, trust
and awe of your Creator. And when you create from that place, you will give
birth to the kind of stories that have only been imagined in heaven.
Asking
the right people the right questions is wise. But no one’s answer will ever
come close to what God wants to share with you. Follow his words no matter what
industry trends or experts tell you.
God
welcomes our raw, emotive, burning questions because they lead to conversation,
wrestling, revelation, and intimacy. Read through the Psalms again if you have
any doubt.
So what
does God think of your writing? Great question. Go ask him.
Allen Arnold loves the epic adventure
God has set before him. From the mountains of Colorado, he leads Content &
Resources for Ransomed Heart Ministries (led by John Eldredge). Before that, he
spent 20 years in Christian Publishing - overseeing the development of
more than 500 novels as founder and Publisher of Thomas Nelson Fiction. He was
awarded the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. But that doesn't really
describe the man. Allen savors time with his family, craves the beach, drinks
salsa by the glass, is hooked on the TV series "Once Upon a Time" and
is passionate about helping storytellers tell better stories from an awakened
heart.
