Hey #JustWrite fam, it is August, a month of new beginnings, new mercies, and new assignments. We are at the end of another season. Can you all believe that we have 4 more months until the end of the year? Amazing....Speaking of amazing, I read a wonderful blog, entitled, "Don't Write Just to Get Published" last week that was shared by my sis in Christ, Carmen Miller who is the founder of Whole Magazine, one of my favorite devotionals. The author of the blog, Ann Swindell touched on the questions of do you want to be published or do you want to write? She expressed that many writers think that getting published will fulfill and validate them. This is a dangerous thought to have because seeking to receive validation through other means outside of Jesus can leave one frustrated, unsatisfied and can cause one to compromise the integrity of who they are as Christians for the sake of being published. I admit, when I read the article initially, I felt convicted because the thought and excitement of being published has crossed my mind a few times, but it's never been my primary motive. I've always written to be healed and as a release from life's trials. After reading that article, my initial unction was to share it on social media but a part of me didn't want to share in fear that others would think I was being controversial and stirring up a debate. Thankfully, I went against those feelings and I shared on all of my social media accounts as well as the Just Write group. Reading that blog sparked an interesting conversation between me and Kim and reminded me of some of the conversations I've had with others during the Just Write meetings. At our last meeting, we talked about the social injustice in the nation, the many TV shows and movies that have been written that only entertain and not educate for the sake of money, and how we as Christian writers have a responsibility to write with integrity and not compromise who we are and what we write about for the sake of authorship. We as Christian writers have to step up the standard and bring forth content that is authentic, uncompromising, and relevant to what we are seeing in society and as Christians. Check out the following gems that were expressed throughout the article:
1. Getting published does not make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
2. The purpose of writing is worship. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Another scripture to reference that wasn't mentioned is, Colossians 3:23-24 which says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
3. We write from a place of security in Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
4. Ask the Lord to search us and help us discern why we crave publication. Psalm 139: 23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
5. Our worth isn’t in how others react to us, but in how they react to Jesus. Amen!
I'm so glad my eyes came across this blog, because it put a lot into perspective and it reminded me of my purpose with everything I do: to glorify God. To read more check out the link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-write-just-to-get-published Continue to keep God first in all that you do.
In His service,
~Lequvia Ousley~
1. Getting published does not make you a writer. Writing makes you a writer.
2. The purpose of writing is worship. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Another scripture to reference that wasn't mentioned is, Colossians 3:23-24 which says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
3. We write from a place of security in Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
4. Ask the Lord to search us and help us discern why we crave publication. Psalm 139: 23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
5. Our worth isn’t in how others react to us, but in how they react to Jesus. Amen!
I'm so glad my eyes came across this blog, because it put a lot into perspective and it reminded me of my purpose with everything I do: to glorify God. To read more check out the link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-write-just-to-get-published Continue to keep God first in all that you do.
In His service,
~Lequvia Ousley~
