Into the Fire

Day in and day out on the various writers’ blogs, writers are challenged to upgrade their work, to pursue the “art” of writing, to not be satisfied with status quo and/or ordinary fare. Of course everyone has their own definitions of “art” and the processes involved to achieve that lofty description. All well intentioned. Mostly good and sound advice, direction, commentary.

Now. Writers who are Christians seem to divide their opinions into a few distinct groups. I can’t profess to define them all, but there are three specific ideologies and perhaps the rest fall somewhere in between these. First group is easily defined. These are the writers who have no qualms about including, incorporating, infusing, introducing or even inducing the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their fiction. They are Christian writers and do not dispute being called, named, or defined as such. The next group are writers who chafe at being called Christian writers and have no qualms about NOT including, incorporating, infusing, introducing, or even inducing the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their fiction, insisting they don’t write as “ministry” but rather as an art form (which usually manages to imply that those who do include the gospel in their writing are not artful in their work). Group number three is less definable but definitely apparent around the blogosphere, and they want more edge, possible profanity, yet “artful”, literarily-strong prose, and they may or may not include the gospel or discernable references to God. They swear by the mantra that their Christian worldview will shine through in their writing, possibly by osmosis, just because of their undeniable belief system in God.

By the mere passage of time without prayer in schools and a no-discipline philosophy, by the increased activity of militant atheists and secularists, by the sinful conduct of predominant people in highly visible Christian ministries, and by the cowardly actions of some liberal politicians who lean toward socialism and communism, this country is facing its most godless season of existence. By the condoning and celebrating of biblically documented sinfulness such as fornication, homosexuality, infidelity, abortion, the elimination of the honor of marriage except in the case of homosexual partners, and innumerable other highly visible behaviors and actions, we are in the throes of rejoicing by the enemy of the human soul.

Yet, of all things, in recent times “horribly” written tomes like the Left Behind series and The Purpose Driven Life rock the bestseller lists for months on end. This would seem to indicate not just Christians are buying the books. Few would designate either selection(s) as “art”. However, they are overtly Christian. Hmmm . . .

I know I harp on this subject frequently, but I see this bit of arrogance cropping up occasionally as if we alone determine what is good and profitable for everyone else, whoever “we” are. Whether we write for a living, for joy and pleasure, for purpose, to be published, or because it’s an undeniable call on our lives, we do not have the right to dismiss others’ works as if they’re inferior to our code of “art”. We might marvel at their successes and privately wonder how in the world they’ve achieved it, but who are we to say or determine God isn’t using them according to His purpose for their lives?

After all, it is God who uses the foolish things to confound the wise. Educated people argue incessantly about what is excellent in various art forms. Every generation has its own contributors.

It is well and good to desire to read and write excellence. Those who’ve studied the craft are more likely to write according to what has commonly been construed as excellent while incorporating their own touches of style to the written form, and it is logical to assume that education in the craft will accentuate the ability. However, there are always exceptions to assumptions as well as to rules. Some of the rules have lasted through the centuries; others have adjusted to the times and changes of evolving cultures, faded and resurfaced in new forms. Rules are well and good, but a writer must write from the heart, and if rules get bent in the process: so be it.

So, it comes down to this . . . again. You may be an excellent craftsman with the written word, but are you writing from your heart or to impress mankind? Is it more important to you in your writing to get away with something, to shock, to enrage, to poke at your audience, or to find the place in it which is utterly pleasing to God above all?

If you are a Christian, Jesus is your Lord and Savior. You’ve been pulled from the mire of sin. Rescued from eternal death. The most vital commitment of your life has been made to God through His Son. By accepting Jesus Christ, you placed him at the pinnacle of all life’s choices. You have decided to follow Jesus, not part time but full time. The rest of your life will be spent on perfecting the relationship, clinging to Him when things are unbearable, laughing joyfully when the blessings are being reaped. How do you intend to communicate that, or do you? How can you not?

Writers always need to be encouraged to improve. What they don’t need to do is to think of themselves more highly than they ought. No person’s occupation is any more important or exalted than another’s. Yes, some jobs have such high qualifications the majority of people could never do them, but the humble janitor provides a vital service in institutions around the world.

It’s wonderful to take the written words and create people, places, and things to make readers react with emotion, thoughtfulness, determination. It’s a privilege to write for the Lord, to fulfill the call. It’s important to do so, too, because perhaps He’ll use it to strengthen His body of believers, to draw someone to Himself, or whatever valuable thing He has in mind for work written to honor Him. That’s the beauty of being a Christian writer. Regardless of what happens to the work, He determines its purpose.

The search to find yourself as a writer should be centered around God. If you are a Christian and a writer, follow His lead. It’s so easy to become immersed in self along the way. It’s so human to want to “prove” something with your writing. And in some ways it has become acceptable to cop out big time and just write for the hell of it.

Father, you are the One I choose to please. Lead me to write accordingly. I’ll never achieve any contentment or even happiness any other way. You’re all that truly matters in this writing gig. Help me to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.