“A word after a word after a word is power.”–Margaret Atwood
A writer brings words to life, and those words have the power to elevate another life. A reader is invited into the writer’s world – familiar, comforting, inspiring, or encouraging. That power is why a Christian writer ought to pray and reflect upon his/her content to cause or create a Godly influence for his/her reader
According to John Piper “If you’re not praying that what you write will influence people it is because you don’t believe in what about you’re writing”
Indeed, Christian writers should seek to influence readers by pointing them to God. It is only God who can turn a word into a seed, and have it germinate to produce fruits. Yet often you find yourself in a dilemma.
For example, when I believe in a promise that hasn’t yet born fruit for me, I tend to find myself wondering “What if I convince someone to believe this promise and it does not come to pass as I say?”
But listening to this message from John Piper gave me a very insightful perspective on being a Christian writer. I never set out to become a Christian writer, but life is full of surprises and you never know what ‘life, dream, gift, calling, etc, is in store until you venture out.
It is not your duty to make it happen, but your influence can lead to strengthening another’s relationship with God or reassuring them of the promises of God.
Qualities of Christian Writers – According John Piper
Whenever you write, highlight that God is better than anything else in the world, the path of sin is worse than anything else in the world, and make the path of righteousness look beautiful in spite of all the difficulties that the path of obedience might bring.
- Writers should love people and have good intentions towards their readers
- Writers should seek to glorify God in their writing by winning them over to God.
- Writers should seek to show readers the goodness and love of God.
- Awaken their readers’ souls to hunger for God and delight in Him.
If you discover a cure for a deadly disease will you hide it from loved ones in need or will you gladly share with them? God is much more appealing than the cure because He is the creator of life itself. Therefore, a writer needs to seek, desire, and pray to influence his/her readers.
Words: Why Write
- You write for personal edification, to bring clarity to murky thoughts or situations.
- To help universalize human nature and human struggle. When you express your experience a reader can find themselves in your story. Of course, that can either be good or not so good.
- “You can make anything by writing.” –C.S. Lewis. Writing is a tool for creation and peacemaking.
- Since writing is an extension of living, writing gives you a chance to live a full life by bringing the inside out and making an intangible tangible
Thinking Backwards as a Writer – John Piper
And when you start at the end, you think backward into other questions:
- What does that mean for the kinds of words I use?
- The kinds of sentences I use?
- The paragraphs I use?
- The lengths of things I write?
- The cultural illustrations I employ?
“Writers should utilize their influences carefully, while allowing the process of writing to open their own eyes, and shape their own souls”
As you begin to ponder upon these questions or implications, it is sobering to realize that you are on this planet to influence people. Everyone is an influence, so be conscious of what kind of influence you have on your readers. Pray for that influence and keep writing. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find this message inspiring to encourage to keep writing no matter what, whether you publish or let your writing showcase God’s glory. Stay Blessed Always!
Related Post
https://hopelink.biz/2020/09/09/a-writers-influence/
This post further emphasizes the significance or role of the writer, especially the Christian writer. God has given us the creative ability to be able to add value and make positive impacts on others. We must see ourselves as instruments in God’s hands to perpetuate his will.
This is enlightening and instructive, Marie. More wisdom for you.
Amen and amen 🙏 🙌. Wow I feel so humble, and grateful for your kind words.
I’m speechless 🙊, for your amazing summary of this post. Indeed, we’re God’s tools/instruments to use for his will and glory 🙏
Thank you, Ayansola for your usual grateful wisdom, and thoughtful insights. I appreciate it very much.
My pleasure. It’s always refreshing to read something from you.
How’s your day coming?
I’m glad you feel that way. The pleasure is mine as well 😊.
My day is coming up great, getting ready for an evening class. Hope yours is coming along great, too😊
Cool. Learn for two 😎
The day is almost over here. It was a good one.
Awesome, I’ll do so😁😅
Have a wonderful evening!
Very well written, Marie
Words have power and with words, we can indeed make a positive and powerful impact 💙
Thank you so much, Era. I appreciate it 🙏.
Well said 👏, so true. Words have powerful impact, indeed 👏.
Always a pleasure Marie ☺🤗
Awesome 👌 😊
I’m glad I read this. We sometimes belittle the power of our pen forgetting that our God is multidimensional and would love to be expressed in whatever forms including the use of words . Our instruction is that our light shines and that men see our good works, to the end that God be glorified.
Thanks for taking the time to express those inspirations by writing them down.
Thank you, Olayinka, for reading 📚, and commenting, too. I appreciate it so much. Very insightful and thoughtful
You’re absolutely right, our part is to let God shine through the words we use.
You’re more than welcome, Olayinka.
I agree with everything you’ve written here, Marie. Every time we read a book, we come out a different person, something changes. If that doesn’t happen, that book has failed to be a book. Lovely post, love it!
Thank you, Rishika, I’m honored to hear that.
Thank you so much for your wonderful insights. I appreciate it so much as usual 😊. I’m glad you loved it.
You’re right, a reader’s life changes one way or the other after an encounter with the author through reading 📚. Stay blessed 🙌
The pleasure is all mine, Marie.I couldn’t agree more with you. Thank you so much for your best wishes! You too😊
You’re more than welcome, Rishika😊
Well said Marie, words have power and Christian writers have a responsibility to glorify God and impact someone’s life through their words.
I really like that you emphasised the importance of seeking God as we write so that our words align with His will and purpose.
Blessings dear. May the Lord continue to bless you and enable you to touch others through your writing.
Thank you, dear, for those words of encouragement. I’m blessed to have you here.
So true, God’s words have power and must be handled through grace and truth. So that he gets all the glory at the end when a life is impacted by it.
Amen and amen. Thank you for the wonderful prayer, dear 🙏 😘. May we all continue to grow in his grace and wisdom as we write ✍ 🙏.
You can make anything by writing.” –C.S. Lewis. Writing is a tool for creation and peacemaking.
Since writing is an extension of living, writing gives you a chance to live a full life by bringing the inside out and making an intangible tangible
The above was exactly what I needed to read for encouragement to continue on writing my book and even blogging. Blogging is so much easier then writing a book. I feel so inadequate writing a book. I have a passionate desire to help others through my writing. I must get back to writing my book…been lazy lately, so much going on so I have put it aside. It easier to comment on others blogs but then I gleam so much good like I did from yours. Thank you.
Wow, I’m truly glad that you find this post helpful.
Thank you for reading and commenting. It is not easy to do what you did, so vulnerable and sincere.
Life is full of wonders and wounds, and we each have our own share. Some more than others and sometimes more overwhelming and other times less. You’re not alone, and waiting periods are never wasted. They can be very useful parts of the book you’re writing. Keep writing word after word, sentence after sentence etc,. May the Lord give you strength to persever until the end and publish your book as a reward 😀 🙏 😊. Stay blessed 🙌
This is a must read for all. Awesome post Marie
Thank you, George, for your kinds words. I appreciate it 🙏 😊. Stay blessed 🙌
This is a great reminder! I don’t consider myself a writer but I have things I can share. Praying that all words come from the Holy Spirit whenever I write. Thank you!
Thank you, Hanna. I appreciate it so much.
Amen 🙏 to your prayer. Nothing is ever too small especially when it is done in love, and for the glory of God. Stay blessed 🙌.
This is an amazing post. Thank you for sharing.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
(1 Peter 4:10)
If writing is what we are called to do, then we should definitely use it to touch people’s hearts and turn them to God. We should all try to become stewards of the manifold grace of God through our writing.
Thank you, Saron. I appreciate your thoughtful insights.
So true, we should always become God’s stewards as we write to encourage one another 🙏.
Thank you, once again, and stay blessed 🙌.
Hallo Marie. Been ‘couple of days’ since I read something from you. Trust you’re doing great.
Checking up on you.
Hi Ayansola, good to hear from you. Thanks for checking on me. All is well and God is good. Had a lot on my plate. But God is faithful 😊
More posts on the way by God’s grace. Hope you’re doing 👍
Good. Good
I’m very well. Just one of those moments. But God’s faithful!
Happy to know. He’s always faithful, and unshakable no matter what. Let’s press on for the victory that awaits for us
Very true. I’m encouraged. Thanks a lot
You’re always welcome, Ayansola 😊
This was a very encouraging and inspiring read. I appreciate you taking the time to really process and display how powerful and important writing can be.
You’re welcome, dear 😊. The pleasure is mine as well. I’m glad you liked it.
Writing is a powerful tool, indeed. Thank you for commenting. Stay blessed 🙌
Love this post! This especially stood out-
“Writers should utilize their influences carefully, while allowing the process of writing to open their own eyes, and shape their own souls”
Thank you, Aimee, for reading and commenting. I appreciated it so much.
I’m glad that line stood out to you 😊 🙏, it is one of my favorite lines, too. Stay blessed always.