Dear Writer | Live for More

Dear Writer,

Your words have power.  They have purpose - if you use them wisely.  Remember that.

If you're a writer, you've already been giving a huge blessing.  God's given you the gift of words.  Maybe you don't think so, because English can trip anyone up (trust me).  However, there's something so much more important than grammar and a flowing story-line.

There is something we often forget.

We can't define ourselves as merely "writers".  We're people.  We have schedules and families and friends.  We can't bury ourselves in our writing and miss out on all the rest.  What would it matter if we gained the whole world and lost our soul?  Or what would it matter if we wrote a best-selling book, got published on a renowned website, or created a story that brought tears to someone's eyes if at home our lives were falling apart?

Writing is important.  Maybe it's your calling.  But don't forget that Jesus is what matters.  If you spend your life doing things for Jesus, you'll miss out on having a relationship with Jesus.  He wants you.  Not your writing.  You.

Jesus will often use your talents to do amazing things.  Make Him your priority.  Then you'll be writing something worth reading.

I'm just starting to learn this lesson.  I'm still struggling.  Inwardly, I want to live my life for myself.  I want comfort and schedules and routine.  But we're made for so much more.

A real Christian's life should be lived from the outflow of her relationship with Jesus.

Everything.  Writing, reading, words, it should all be because of a passionate love that overwhelms their life and seeps out from them every time they open their mouth.  This isn't writing.  This is so much more.

There are no meaningless moments in life - even writing.  Every one counts.  Let's make sure we don't waste them.

You're more important as a person than a writer.  So take a break.  Focus on relationships.  Sit alone in God's presence.  Maybe then you'll be ready to write with enthusiasm without forgetting what matters most.

I want to share one last piece of encouragement.

It's easy to get into "author mode" and look over everything with a critical eye.  Sometimes we forget to like our writing.  We pick out commas and stress about character flaws.  We wonder what a reader would think.  Or we erase yet another email and wonder how to share what we really want to say.

Guess what?  First drafts aren't beautiful.  Neither are second or third drafts.  Don't let yourself get carried away with perfectionism.  Sometimes the best thing you can do is explore your writings as a reader.  Turn off editing and wrap yourself into the story.  Read.  Feel the emotion of the story and embrace where God has already led you.

Then get back into editing mode with a bounce in your fingers.  Embrace every stage of writing knowing that there's a purpose in it.  If we wait to live life until a certain point, we'll never truly live.  So live right now.  Give yourself away to Jesus and write up a storm to His glory.

Dear Writer, I know it's hard, and you might feel discouraged.  If life was easy, we would never achieve anything worth success.  Start today.  Life for more.  Don't be just a writer, but when you do set your pen on paper, let it fly from fingers eager to share a message of hope with the world.

I'm cheering you on.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

- Psalm 46:10

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

- Psalm 150:6

~♥~