How can God use my book? Christian writing advice
It’s hard to believe sometimes that the creator of the universe would stoop so low to use us and our work. But the thing is, we aren’t low when we’re in Christ, He sees us as partners and his own children. Princes and princesses in the greatest kingdom of all.
He wants to use my book. He wants to use your book.
But why? You might ask. Because it is a unique work of art, and if you’ll let Him, He will use it for the Kingdom (of Heaven). He has always used the most unlikely people, and the most unlikely things. We can read all about it in the Bible, the harlots and thieves he used for the Kingdom’s glory. The way things sometimes looked all wrong, but he turned it out for the good of those He loves. Trust me, God’s had His fair share of having to get creative with his resources.
For some reason, God loves using those who seem less, to do more.
Perhaps it’s the theme of your story He’ll use. The message you are trying to tell the world with your words. Perhaps he wants it heard too, and wants to partner with you in that.
Maybe it’s your characters, he has a special reader for them. He knows their story can change someone’s life. The way you craft them is unique to you, there’s likely someone who needs that way of writing. They need what your characters will teach them!
It could be your descriptions. The way you paint a picture, the words you use, the scenes you include. They could bring peace to a weary soul, and transport someone somewhere they have been searching for. You could be providing a safe haven, a refuge.
The intrigue and plot could draw your readers in for a reason. They might find something more than the resolution of a mystery. You could have hidden things within the action and suspense that leave them asking questions.
What about how God might use your book? Is he going to make it a bestseller? Make you a millionaire?
God’s thoughts certainly aren’t our thoughts, and he works in ways so different (and often opposite) to the world. When he looks at your book, he doesn’t see dollars or sales. He sees lives changed and people coming to experience His love because of it. God isn’t focused on our flesh (although He always provides for it), He is focused on our hearts, and what’s sometimes hidden to us.
I have felt so strongly in my life the encouragement of Jesus over my creations. They always seem to fail in an earthly sense and I have to be continually reminded of their worth in the spiritual.
I have to be told the truth: that my creation’s worth doesn’t lie in whether it is popular, or selling, or being seen. It lies in the hands of my creator; and He loves what I make. He says it is good.
But how to have the faith to believe great things are possible? It is such an important part of partnering with God: believing He can do it.
What is the “it” you’re struggling to believe in? Is it finishing your first draft? Finding the right editor? Perhaps seeing your book published? He can do it all.
We dream so big when we are children, we have vision and faith that anything is possible. What happened to that kind of faith? How do we nurture such faith in ourselves again?
God is big enough.
I often am numb to this fact (a fact that should be one of the most obvious). Instead, I doubt what He can do, and tie His capabilities up with lack of faith in myself. The first step is gaining perspective on just how big and powerful our God is!
Think about the creation of earth. The battles miraculously won, the supernatural healings and resurrections. Then think about your book.
He is fully capable, just a word, or thought from Him, and it is done.
Perhaps we forget He wants to partner with us, we think we are below His help: too insignificant and small for Him to care about our book. What a lie from the enemy! One that too often proves successful in our lives.
That fear of failure stops us from taking so many first steps. Lay the outcome in His hand and believe. Open the door and walk through, trust that He will work it all out for your good.
Don’t let failure be your enemy, see it as your teacher.
I recently played live at an event, and during the lead up I had those intrusive thoughts of “what if I mess up? What if I fail?” But somehow I managed to brush them off, responding with “Then let me fail, it’s not the end of the world. Failure isn’t the biggest elephant in the room.” Starting to see failure as part of the journey and not something to avoid changes so much. Those first steps are just the beginning.
I have many dreams for my books, to see them published and selling, changing lives and creating new doors to walk through. My big vision is to be a full time author, able to support my family with my books. I believe God can do it, and wait excitedly to see if that is indeed His will.
“But what if it’s not God’s will?” That haunting question and fear often creeps in. I have played this over many times in my mind. “What if God doesn’t want me to be an author, but to just work the nine to five my whole life?” It’s probably one of my BIG fears. But I have learnt that, although I cannot know the future, I can take the next step in faith. I can know that whatever God has in store for me, it will be good. For His plans for me are full of hope and a future (as it tells me in Jeremiah). Even if things don’t turn out like I thought or hoped, I can rest in the facts that a: God used everything how He wanted, b: I learnt so much on the journey and that has eternal significance in my life.
So how can you let God use your book this week? How can you expand your vision and dream big? How can you believe greatly in what God is capable of?
