Writing for God’s Glory vs. Writing for Publication
Like many writers in the early stages of their careers, I can be found spending some portion of most workdays soaking in advice and information from websites like this one. As I gather perspectives, dichotomies from which I’m sure you know well. The passion of art versus the realities of business. Writing what’s in your heart versus structuring stories that sell. To those writing for God’s glory, I’ll add this one: the breathless awe of a divine calling versus frustration in seeking an audience. The joy of His leading shouldn’t be denied, and it’s completely necessary in order to create work that pleases Him. However, not every God-honoring work is anointed for wide scale distribution.
It’s a hard truth. Is there any point to writing words that no one ever reads? Why does God lead us just so far and then let us dangle, unpublished? Doesn’t writing for God’s glory mean reaching people? We want our work to be fruitful – but patience is a fruit. Faithfulness is a fruit. I always hope and pray my words will bless and encourage, but I know that His creation speaks without words. The majesties of the heavens speak for themselves, becoming purple prose in their awkward translation into print. As Psalm 19 proclaims, “There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” It humbles me and reminds me that God permits me to write for His glory. He desires my fruit, but He doesn’t need it. If He were hungry, He wouldn’t tell me.
Still, He put a fire in my heart – and yours – to write, and for many of us, the creative process doesn’t feel complete without readers. It’s good and right to want to let our light shine before men and seek to be published, but we make a very short jump in defining success by anything outside of the job He’s called us to do. We can trust that nothing thwarts His purposes, and He will do everything He intends through us. Success in honoring God’s call on my life means more pleading that my words would be acceptable in His sight, and less worrying about getting them in front of everyone else.
