PURSUING GOD'S DESIGN FOR OUR CRAFT

PURSUING GOD'S DESIGN FOR OUR CRAFT
Monday, June 10, 2024 by LINDA WOOD RONDEAU

Advice from Scripture

Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV

Solomon knew life from all sides. His wisdom was unparalled. Yet, he still made some very bad choices in his later life. His craving for political greatness, overshadowed his wisdom. Perhaps he learned from his folly as he penned these words

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight]

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Wisdom for living come from the Lord, not from our perceived knowledge. Knowledge changes as new discoveries are made.

For the Christian writer, construction of manuscripts and the “rules” of the craft have changed over time. We only need to read classics from Milton to Thomas Hardy and James Michener to James Patterson. Author styles and approach to the craft has varied greatly over the years.

The truthful instruction remains, to write from the heart. To do this, we must trust in the Lord, not lean to our changing understanding. We must also submit our craft to Him from inception to completion. When we are wise in our own eyes, thinking we have obtained all there is to comprehending this crazy business called publishing, we are in danger of stale writing that fails to speak our message of hope to those needing to hear what God wants us to convey.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary.

We don’t do church or follow worship patterns as those Christians who have gone before us. Their witness to us is not in modality, but rather in their whole-hearted love of the Lord. As Christian writers, we have a cloud of witnesses, those who have gone ahead of us in their writing journey. Not to copy or adapt to the way they followed their craft. Rather, in the way the whole-heartedly submitted their journey to God. Willing to make any sacrifice, ridicule or financial, in order to carry the message of the cross in the work of their minds and hands.

Christian writer, let us fix our eyes of Jesus, who is not only the perfector of our faith. He is also the perfecter of our call to write for Him.

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