Writing for Jesus

This is Supposed to Be Fun!

       Sometimes in striving so hard to please, we forget that writing is supposed to be fun. I don't mean just pleasing people, either, but also God. We forget that God isn't staring over our shoulder, just waiting to condemn the next story line we type on the computer screen. We forget that God isn't waiting for us to fail. We forget he wants us to enjoy ourselves.

      We talked a bit about things to avoid in previous chapters, but I don't want to give the message that you should heavily censor and keep an eagle eye's watch over every. Single. Sentence. When you are in alignment with God, your writing is typically also in line with God. Personally, I overthink this to the extreme. Maybe you do, too. What about this: say a simple prayer, write, and enjoy yourself.

      Yes, enjoy yourself. God is not a punishment. He's not trying to suck the fun out of everything. He's not a dictator just waiting to point out all the ways you failed. God certainly isn't out to get you or to make your life miserable. 

      Shocker! God wants you to enjoy yourself. That doesn't mean your life or writing in general will be all sunshine and daisies. No. But it means it's not always going to be super hard. It means that there are good things and good times in store for you as well. 

       Of course, God has rules, but doesn't every good parent? If you're under God's grace, and you're following His ways... why are you feeling so much guilt? The answer is simple. Guilt is a primary tool of the Enemy (aka satan). Now, I'm not talking about conviction. Conviction is when God gently but firmly confronts you about sin. Guilt is a whole 'nother word entirely. Guilt often comes in when you're doing something right. Guilt is crippling. Guilt tells you you're worthless.

          Would God tell you that you're worthless?

         No.

        God is not in guilt. It's that simple. He can be called a God who convicts, but He can never be called a God of guilt. I think most of us writers go to the extreme that God doesn't think we (or our writing) is "good enough." Truth being, no it's not, but God is good enough. Under His wings, saved by His grace, you are good enough. The reason being, because God is good enough.

       So, please, don't be fooled into thinking that God wants your life and writing to be hard. That's a lie. There will be hard days, months, even years in your life...but God is also a God of great, great joy. Ask Him to help you enjoy writing again. 

  Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. (Ecclesiastes 9:7 NIV)