The
Christian Writer’s Manifesto – Part 1: This is where it’s at. By Lisa Phillips
For we are
His workmanship,
created in
Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should
walk in them.
Ephesians
2:10 (NKJV)
It seems a
heavy thing, to know there’s a ‘calling’ on your life. At times you probably
feel like me, so totally unworthy of being the recipient of something divine … or
dare I say, holy that you’d much rather run away.
Why
don’t I just write nice stories about funny people doing interesting things,
going on adventures? They can grow and learn, without any of that ‘God’ stuff
readers will complain is too preachy. Or I could write gritty, urban stories
that are ‘real’ and show the underbelly of society people don’t like to talk
about. I can put in themes of redemption and forgiveness and I’ll be able to
reach more people anyway, while I’m getting on the NYT Bestseller’s list.
I
can still change lives.
But
is it what God wants for me?
“Christian
authors in the general market often state their worldview permeates their
stories without making the "God-thing" obvious. They insist they can
reach a lot more unbelievers with subtlety. And who can argue with them? No one
can say for sure exactly what and how writers will be used. The important thing
is to obey whatever God has for each one of us.” (from
Nicole Petrino-Salter’s blog Into the
Fire) http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/2012/12/why-christian-fiction-matters.html
Each
one of us is called to this: to write the story God has given you. Whether this
story is cute, funny, gritty, heartwarming, bizarre or experimental doesn’t
matter. In the end, what matters is whether or not you choose to honor God in
your life. Not just your writing, but your whole life.
To
the best of your ability.
Because,
yes, no one likes preachy fiction. Then you make it subtle and people think
you’ve watered it down. So you make it more obvious and people complain they
don’t like it.
Doesn’t
matter.
It’s
not your story at that point, anyway. It’s worship.
Worship
is whatever sacrifice you’ve chosen to give to God. Your voice, your time, your
passion, your money, your family. The offering we give to God can be anything,
not just that twenty minutes or half an hour we sing songs on a Sunday morning—anything
that costs us something to give.
So
when I choose to sacrifice the story I could have written for one saturated
with grace, mercy and the faithfulness of God, that’s worship. And once it is
given, it belongs to Him. So who cares what people think?
“There
is nothing more valuable in this hard life than offering Jesus Christ as the
only true lifeline in a lost world filled with secular philosophies that add
nothing of eternal value. This is why Christian fiction matters.” (from Nicole Petrino-Salter’s blog Into the Fire) http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/2012/12/why-christian-fiction-matters.html
In
John chapter 7, John the Baptist is in jail. He has fulfilled his ministry,
preparing the way. Jesus has been baptized and the dove descended, God’s voice
ringing out for all to hear: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well
pleased.”
And
yet, while John sits in prison, he doubts. He sends two of his disciples to
Jesus with this message: “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for
another?”
Seriously?
This
guy grew up with Jesus. They’re second cousins. He was there when Jesus began
his ministry. Preparing the way for the Messiah is John’s whole life’s purpose,
and he DOUBTS?
It’s
a wonder Jesus doesn’t send the disciples back saying, “I don’t believe this
guy! Doesn’t he KNOW? He was there the whole time and now he’s asking me this?
This is ridiculous!”
Thank
the Lord. He has far more grace in Him than I would have in my human reaction.
Jesus says this:
“Go and tell John the
things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers
are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
(Luke
7:22-23)
This
is where the power is.
Not
in earthly stories, not in worldly solutions or religions of man. The healing,
the life, the good news—it originates with Jesus.
So
stand up and be counted among those who have laid down their writing for the
Lord.
All
for the glory of God.
Coming soon: The
Christian Writer’s Manifesto – Part 2: A word from the forerunners.
Lisa
Phillips can be found at www.lisaphillipsbks.com
or on Twitter @lisaphillipsbks
Please
leave a comment below:
Why
do you write “Christian” fiction? Maybe you don’t think it’s that big of a deal
to write preachy stories about God; it’s just entertainment. What does
Christian fiction mean to you?
I’d
love to hear from you.
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