Preparing the Sacrifice

“Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;

 and the opening of my lips shall be right things.”

 Proverbs 8:6, KJV

Why do people buy Christian books? The many I’ve talked with, say it’s because of what’s not in them rather than what is in them. Readers trust Christian books to be free of crude language, explicit sex scenes, and a secular worldview to solve problems. Our readers trust us to speak of excellent things. Shouldn’t they also expect our writing to be excellent?

Two authors spoke to my heart concerning mediocrity in Christian writing.

Bodie & Brock Thoene in their book, Writer to Writer, reminds the Christian author of our employer. As much as we need our publishers and editors, we are first servants of the Lord and should be—

“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men;”

Ephesians 6:7, KJV

Cecil Murphey, in his podcast course, “Beyond Mediocrity,” presented through The Christian Writer’s Institute, echoes the Thoenes’s sentiments of seeking excellence in writing. Mr. Murphey’s personal goal is a worthy one for all of us—

 To write a manuscript the first time needing no editing.

That would be an editor’s dream come true

Reaching the goal begins with dedicating our work to the Lord in excellence and to—

“Commit thy works unto the LORD,

and thy thoughts shall be established.”

Proverbs 16:3, KJV

Christian authors have no excuse but to do their best. If we believe we have been called to write...

The Lord has put the calling in our hearts.
The Lord fails in nothing he sets out to do.
The Lord promises to establish our thoughts and our plans. 
The Lord will make certain our writing becomes all it is meant to be for his glory.

That does not mean we throw something together and wait for God to make it excellent. It does mean we do all we can to make what we write excellent, for he is worthy of nothing less. Then we trust him with the outcome.

If we want excellence in our work—

First, commit the work to the Lord.
Learn all we can to improve our craft

by taking advantage of online writing courses,

writer’s conferences,

joining a Christian writing group,

learning from our editors,

remembering who our Employer is,

praying,

and working for his glory.

What are your writing plans for today? Where would you like your writing to take you in the next five years? Ten years?

We don’t know the future, but we have today. Use each day to reach for excellence. If the Lord has put a pen in your hand, take it and do what He’s given you to do.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

 do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Colossians 3:17, KJV

Our Lord is excellent. Our work needs to bear his image. Keep learning so our best becomes better. Remember the Lord establishes where it goes, who it reaches, and its final success. Leave it to him in prayer and rejoice knowing your work is not in vain.

DONNA K. STEARNS  is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary God. She loves her Lord, her pastor-husband, their grown children, and their families. Bible study, writing, being outside, and enjoying her family are some of her favorite past times. Her published works include a novel, The Nazarene’s Price, several teen short stories, and devotions. Other works in progress include two children’s books and a sequel to her first novel. For more information about the author go to “Meeting Jesus with Donna Stearns or connect with her on Facebook.