Preparing the Sacrifice

WRITING FROM THE HEART

By Linda Wood Rondeau/Blog Owner

We may not perceive ourselves as prophets. But those who feel called to write, whether fiction or nonfiction, have been given a message from God to impart to our readers. In truth, sometimes the message God gives is not what people want to hear.

I recall during the early years of my career as a professional writer, being advised to ensure my product was “marketable.” Many times the rejections I received were not because of quality but because the content did not meet readers' expectations. How sad, that our industry has become so in tune with popularity, that the voices of God’s prophets are silenced.

Not intentionally, of course. But publishers must have income to keep publishing. That is why most Christian publishers desire tried and true, authors with large platforms, and those who have the ability and know-how to market their books. This has created a trend to market and publish as the world does.

Jeremiah dealt with this dilemma in his own time.

In essence, God told him, “I’m calling you to preach to a people who will not listen.” Jeremiah was not popular in his time and met with severe opposition and rejection, his very life was threatened. But his words have endured throughout the ages because they were God’s words.

In Chapter 28, we read how he competed with a popular prophet, Hananiah who confronted Jeremiah in front of an assembly of priests in “the house of the Lord.” Hananiah boasted, claiming God gave him these words, “I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years, I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. And I will bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Joiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, who went to Babylon,’ says the Lord, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”

There was no book dedicated or written by Hananiah in the Scriptures because he falsely claimed his words were from God and used his podium to please the crowd.

Jeremiah in debate said, “Wishful thinking, Hananiah. Wouldn’t that be nice if the Lord did so? But hear this you and the assembly gathered here today, “The prophets who have been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries and great kingdoms—of war and disaster and pestilence. As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the Lord has truly sent.”

In other words, our prophecies, our stories, and our instructions for Christian living must be as God directs to have true credibility. The truth of our message will be proven in God’s time, not according to popular opinion or wishful thinking.

So what should a Christian writer do?

Many good agents and editors in the field will advise you to “write the story God gives you.” Then the writer must trust that God will provide the audience. Of course, we should utilize the expertise and advantages of those in the know relative to presentation and craft. The writers of the Bible had scribes and helpers. But we must also realize that there will be opposition. Writer, persevere and trust God’s timing in the delivery of His true message.  

Note: Linda Wood Rondeau invites Christian writers to join the Facebook page, Christian Writers Co-op, dedicated to helping writers to spread the message God has given them. See also, www.christianwritersco-op.com