Writing with God

There are two root questions concerning my writing: how intimate with God do I want to be as a writer, and how intimate does God want to be with me as I write? If my answer is “very intimate” to both of those questions every outcome will be vastly different than if my answer is “not intimate at all.”

It might be that if I am honest my answer would be that I am not much interested in being intimate with God as a writer, but that I want Him to pay close attention to me: in other words, I would like Him to make those things that I write by myself to be successful. Do I pray about my writing and the things that I write? My prayers will reveal my heart: if all I am praying for is success, then I lack a desire for intimacy.

But I could desire that Matt. 5:16 be true of what I write, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (NASV) I could desire that God and I are so close in the act of writing and in what is written that He gets the glory, and by faith I am not seeking any for myself.

On the other hand it could be that I desire oneness with God as a writer but I do not believe He is interested in that particular communion. If this is true I will find myself discouraged and frustrated and confused. I will listen to those voices that do not see what I see and I will be turned aside. As a writer I will be like that seed which grows but is choked by the cares of the world, and there will be no godly fruit. However, my writing could be a work of faith: love and peace and joy in words that minister deliverance to those who read them.

I need to speak with God that we may be one from the beginning: talking with Him about what to write and how to write it, talking with Him about how to prepare to be a writer, what to learn and what to be satisfied with. I may believe God much or little; oh the blessing of believing Him much!

Writing may be an idol to me so that I am self-occupied all the time, or it may be a wondrous blessing of fellowship and freedom with the God who loves me dearly. I will believe that the potter who molds me will make me the best writer that I can be, and that He will enjoy His work.

Gal. 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (NASV) And as I live and walk by the Spirit I will write by that Spirit as well.

Bless You Lord.