Committed to the Call - Tracy Krauss

I am always amused when I hear people say, “Oh, I’d like to write a book someday,” as if writing a book is something they can just decide to do when the mood strikes. My question is, “Do you write right now?” If the answer is ‘No’ then their chances of actually writing that book are slim.

You see, in my experience, writing isn’t something you glibly pick up because you have nothing better to do. Writers write – they can’t help themselves. It’s like asking a fish not to swim or a dog not to wag its tail. It's just something we do.

When I considered this month’s prompt on commitment, it got me thinking about committing to writing as a ministry. First and foremost, as Christians we must be committed to God. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38

But what about using our writing as a way to love and serve God with our whole hearts, souls and minds?

There are many who feel that Christians who write have a calling on their lives much like that of a missionary or a pastor. I whole-heartedly agree. Our words can minister, encourage, teach and exhort - even if we're not writing devotional books. I am primarily a fiction author, and I've been blessed to receive reader feedback telling me how one book or another met a need, or encouraged someone. I’ve had readers tell me that they lent or gave copies of a book to a friend because they felt the intrinsic message would be just what that person needed to hear. What a blessing! I thank God that He has seen fit to use my humble offerings in this way.

This kind of feedback has often come at just the right time in my life, as well. It's easy to get discouraged about low book sales or a bad review. Sometimes the negative voices in my head tell me my words are meaningless and shallow, and it's pointless to continue. Then God sends a little word of encouragement in the form of an email, note, or comment online. Someone's words encourage the crafter of words and I remember that I'm not in this writing thing for the short term. I'll be writing to an audience of one with or without sales or reviews.

God has called each of us to serve Him in our own unique way. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing. Instead, commit yourself to the writing work that God has given you to do and let Him do the rest. 

Tracy Krauss writes from her home in British Columbia. She has been blessed to see several plays, novels, short stories, and other work in print. http://tracykrauss.com