Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Is success not defined by conformers of this world, as being measured by the amount of money in a bank account; the number of cars in
the driveway; the total vacations in a year, or, in the case of writers, the
quantity of books sold? Sometimes I have to be careful that I don't adopt that mindset, too, for it is drilled into me daily via the lure of advertising.
Certainly, as writers, though, we want to sell books. That’s one of
the reasons most of us put finger to keyboard. And there is no glossing it over
– the bills beg to be paid. But as believers, I’m thinking our definition of
success needs to take a different form. Surely we write because God has given
each of us a unique voice and a distinctive message to share and to glorify Him.
Of course we would like to have 1000 readers buy our book on Amazon in one week,
but what if one person, alone, bought our book and then said, “Thank you. I
needed to read that. Your message was exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you. You've changed my life.”
Wouldn't that be a good and Godly measure of success? I
think if we keep in mind that we write for an Audience of One, then our words
will touch someone’s heart in an amazing way. And then when that happens, there
can be a ripple down effect and lives really can be changed.
I just finished listening to about 12 different speakers talking
about how to sell hundreds of books on Amazon. How to make a six figure income
as a writer. How to market and sell, sell, sell so that you can have great victory
and climb the ladder of success (especially if I enrolled in the courses offered
later!) I will admit that I gleaned a lot of interesting information and tips from many of the speakers;
some encouragement and a few things I might try to implement. But there seemed
a void. A bit of a cold focus and I’ve decided that that coldness was a lack of
Spirit writing.
I am certainly not saying I know it all, because I surely do
not! Romans 12:2 doesn't tell me that I will be transformed by the removal of my mind! It states that I shouldn't pick the world so that my mind can be renewed by God's golden Word, instead. It’s good to pay attention to things that increase
my knowledge but I have to be careful that I don’t chuck aside God’s will in
the process.
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Glynis lives, loves, laughs and does an awful lot of reading, writing, publishing and praying in her home office. Her latest children's book - Hopeful Homer offers hope and encouragement to anyone who might find herself in 'the pit'.
Check out Glynis's bookstore here
2 comments:
Thanks Glynis for this encouraging message for those of us who write as wordsmiths desiring to be guided by "The Word" and to be worthy, unashamed workers who correctly handle and apply it (as in 2 Timothy 2:15).
Those are really apropos illustrative pics, and Helpful Homer's cover is beautifully done. ~~+~~
I agree, Glynis. Success is obedience to God like you said! I enjoy writing, selling, and experiencing that little bit of fame when I see my name in print, but as I look back I am most thankful and proud of those moments when somebody said that my writing helped them in some way. Thanks Glynis!
Pam Mytroen
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