Into the Fire

It’s simple to say with fiction for God writers that God is our motivation. Like, duh, huh?

However, as I’ve been learning throughout my Christianity, being motivated by the Lord to do something for the Lord is not the same for everybody. Much to my consternation. Why does that upset me? Because there are cetain things of the Spirit that I used to assume everyone “got”, but, no, we are all a different lot with the basic born again experience down, although some now refuse to refer to the salvation experience as that, but from there on out we defend our denominational interpretations of the scriptures with explanations, pointing and gesturing, often with vehemence, and with the security that we have it right–at least in our minds. Just so you know, this is not an expository on my beliefs.

Having said all that, I have to tell you that when I say the Holy Spirit gives me my stories and seems to put the words on the page, I really do mean just that. And the reason I say that is because as I’ve said before, I would not have idea one without Him. Now, yes, I have my own “voice” when I write. Certain ways I put words together, certain things you can pretty much always expect in my writing (yes, romance is an integral part of what I write, but I think it runs pretty deep into the entanglement of relationship), and, yes, the theme of relationship between humans and the Lord, how it happens, how it doesn’t happen–these are all things you’ll find in “my” novels. The motivation, however, to keep on writing even when the only book I have published is the first one (an epic) because I paid to publish it myself . . . that motivation and drive to complete another book is strictly and unequivocally from the Lord. It is a call. It is a necessity. It is part of a plan that has led me to a place of writing without knowing the results of my endeavors. I have to thank Him for test readers. Without them I’d have zero feedback on my work as a whole. I also have to thank Him for putting one published author in my path who was willing to read my second novel even though it was so widely different from his style and genre. My tears were real when he wrote back with an amazing review of my work. He is a gift from my Lord, the One who has it all under control. The plan is in full operation. Nothing is impossible with God.

He inspires and motivates and I obey and tag along for the absolute wonderful ride and experience. I like my work because ultimately I’m just taking diction from Him. No, He doesn’t put every word on the page for me, but He gives me characters, their names, their stories. I write them down. That’s why I like my books. That’s why I know there’s a purpose for these that I’ve written. That’s why some of the test readers cry and/or get ministered to when they read them. That’s why I can’t stick to the formula just because it’s the accepted norm for novels. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that it goes against the story that He has given me to tell. That’s all.

Heavenly Father, you are my inspiration. Pleasing you is the most desirable part of my life. That’s why it hurts so much when I fail to do so. Regarding my writing, Lord, I know you have assured me of purpose and a plan, so help me daily, sometimes hourly, to leave it at your feet: my offering of obedience written for you and to you and to those with whom you want it shared. Thank you for the vision. Thank you for the call. Thank you for your divine love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.