Heather Norman Smith
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What Your Writing Can Do in the Right Hands

4/3/2019

4 Comments

 
​Imagine for a moment, a simple work of Christian fiction. The writing has some weak points, but the characters are likeable, the story is inspiring, and the truth of the Gospel is presented clearly. Most readers tell the author they like it, but she wonders how many are just being nice. Now, let’s imagine that little book in the right hands.
 
One of the first people to purchase the book is a faithful church-goer and friend of the author, named Mary. She loves the book because the gospel is woven seamlessly into the story. Mary has an unsaved friend named Nancy who loves to read. Mary thinks Nancy might enjoy the book, and that maybe, the Holy Spirit will use it to nudge her in the right direction. Unfortunately, the story really isn’t Nancy’s cup of tea. She puts the book aside after reading only one chapter.
 
Months pass and the book collects dust. One day, Nancy’s teenage daughter, Jane, notices it on the shelf. It has a pretty cover, so she tries it out. The characters draw her in, and she can’t put it down. Even though the story has some “church stuff”, she likes it.
 
A week later, Jane’s friend, Lily, invites the girl to church for the first time, and she agrees to go so she can hang out with her friend afterward. At church, the preacher’s sermon is confusing for Jane, until she remembers something from the Christian book she enjoyed so much. She makes a connection, and she understands that God loves her. That day, she chooses to give her life to Him.
 
Jane shares her decision with Lily and her mother, Kate, and they rejoice with her. Jane tells them about the book, and Kate decides to read it. The theme of foster care and adoption in the story immediately strikes a chord. She’d been praying about fostering a child, and the Lord uses the book to confirm her calling.
 
Kate and her husband eventually adopt a seven-year-old boy named Noah. He spends the rest of his childhood in a loving, Christian home, and he makes a profession of faith at the age of fifteen. The Lord calls him right after high school to become an evangelist.
 
At a revival meeting several years into Noah’s ministry, he helps lead an older woman to the Lord. Her name is Nancy. She tells Noah that she had rejected God for many years, and that she wishes her good friend Mary were still alive to see her prayers for Nancy be answered.   
 
See what a simple book can accomplish in the right hands? Now, please don’t be confused. The “right hands” weren’t those of Mary, the friend of the author. The right hands were God’s. My made-up tale may seem fanciful, but when we place our work in the hands of the ultimate Creator, we can only imagine the story He will write! If you want to impact the kingdom with your talents, seek Him first, then put forth your very best effort in all that you do and trust God to use it mightily! You may never know the story. You may never be aware of the reach and impact your writing has. But you can always trust God’s purpose for it to be accomplished.
 
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
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4 Comments
Olatomi Afilaka
4/4/2019 04:50:10 am

I have always as far back as I could remember wanted to write. But have never felt good enough or believed when others said my writing was good . And I only seem to write when inspired . This article has touched me very much that it is not about me but about those that I bring to the kingdom through the message. And I should know this as an evangelists. Thank you

Reply
Shannon Ratcliffe
4/4/2019 06:19:16 am

Thank you Heather for reminding me that my fiction writing has value and purpose. Olatomi Afilaka your comment describes me too. Thank you both for your afirming and encouraging words. Keep writing my sisters in Christ - use the gifts HE has given you to better know God and make him known to others.

Reply
Heather
4/4/2019 01:26:01 pm

Thanks for the comments, Shannon! Be blessed in your writing!

Heather
4/4/2019 01:27:05 pm

Thank you for commenting! I’m happy to know it was a blessing to someone. May God continue to bless your ministry.

Reply



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