“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~ Thomas Mann

“Writing is a craft, as well as an art, and that craft takes time to develop. Forget genius, forget inspiration. It takes time - measured not in weeks or months, but years.” ~ Dennis Palumbo

“All serious daring starts from within.” ~ Eudora Welty

“I rewrite a good deal to make it clear.” ~ E.B. White

“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.”~ Pearl Buck

“When you write, you lay out a line of words. The line of words is a miner’s pick, a woodcarver’s gouge, a surgeon’s probe. You wield it, and it digs a path you follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory. Is it a dead end, or have you located the real subject? You will know tomorrow, or this time next year.” ~ Annie Dillard

“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” ~ St. Augustine

Are you writing?

“For what I received, I passed on to you …” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:3

Previously, we looked at ten commands for the Christian writer. Great general guidelines. The prerequisite, of course, is an intimate knowledge of Christ. To grow as His scribes, we must be growing in grace. Our part is simply to abide; He does the growing.

It also seems we best express the truths of the Kingdom when we’re walking in them. Otherwise, we only parrot what we’ve yet to understand, and hurting people can sense a lack of authenticity. So, to “write down the revelation and make it plain,” we begin with surrendered hearts, attuned to His Spirit.

Bearing this in mind, I remember:

We’ll write humbly, rightly divide the word of truth, disciple without preaching, and honor God when we’re writing from the place of grace. Knowledge puffs up, but God is glorified as Christ’s Spirit is allowed to reign in us. No need to be perfect. He anoints writing as He sees fit, to touch the hearts of every reader who needs Him.

But it’s relationship that gets us there, not all the rules. ♥

“God will teach you more than even the most mature Christian could. He will teach you better than all the books in the world could. Why are you so eager to chase after knowledge? Don’t you realize that all you need is to be poor in spirit, and to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified?” Fenelon

Many years ago, more than I care to count, I clipped a little sidebar entitled, “The Ten CWG Commands.” Can’t remember where it came from. I’d love to credit the author, but the only clues left are the yellowed dog-eared corners, and a couple of dried coffee stains.

Back then, I was dead serious - about life, the written word, my Christian duty. I stressed myself out, trying to “rightly divide the word of truth.” In some ways, these writing commands seem akin to Mosaic Law; they remind me how much I need God to equip and enable me on a daily basis. While others fair enormously well with their gifts and talents, I can do nothing apart from His Holy Spirit.

Take a look at these; see what you think. Next post we’ll discuss which ones I’d change. Can you guess? Praying that God will fulfill His purposes in us as we abide in Him, not just for writing, but all of life.

1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and let that love precede all you do or say. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Every word you write shall be offered in a spirit of love and respect for your readers. (Matthew 22:37-39

2. Your words shall help make disciples of your readers; you will use Scripture to teach them to obey all that Jesus has commanded. (Matthew 29:18-20)

3. You shall be a perpetual, disciplined student of the Word of God, one who daily immerses himself in the truth, rather than one who merely tastes of it. (Isaiah 50:4)

4. You shall pray regularly and fervently for God’s wisdom and direction, for your readers, and for the editors to whom you write. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

5. You shall remain humble in the knowledge that you are redeemed by Grace and that what you write glorifies the Father, not yourself. (1 Cor. 14:37)

6. You shall “rightly handle the Word of God.” (II Timothy 2:15)

7. You shall not bore your reader; but you shall be intellectually challenging, presenting your writing skillfully and in a timely manner. (Romans 15:15)

8. You shall not preach to your reader; rather, establish common ground, presenting your writing skillfully and in a timely manner. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)

9. You shall avoid divisiveness among Christians; rather, encourage unity among believers of all Christians denominations. (Romans 16:17-18)

10. You shall be well-read, a student of many great writers, both secular and religious. (Proverb 1:5.7)