A few decades ago, writers were only considered writers if they were published in print. This misconception is no longer true in our digital age. There are all kinds of writers with all sorts of styles writing many different things. Guess what—YOU are a writer!
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 ESV
You are a writer: Your words are powerful.
Words are powerful. The power of life and death is in the tongue! While writing is not speaking, it is a form of communication within which you have power. You are a writer because you write. It doesn’t matter if you write in your journal, letters to friends, long emails, poetry or short stories. Writers write! You need no other accomplishments or distinctions to let you know you are a writer.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21
As a writer, you have a responsibility to use words carefully and intentionally. Words are impossible to get back once published. Chances are, if you have been writing for any length of time or even thinking about what you want to say – that is your voice.
You are a writer: You have a voice.
So, we know you are a writer or that you want to be. You might be sitting scratching your head saying, “But Karen, I have nothing to write about.”
Yes, you do.
You have a voice. It might be the only way you can communicate your thoughts and feelings. You have a voice. Your voice contains the words that run through your mind when you are thinking about what you would like to say or how you might have said something in retrospect. Your voice includes the ending you rewrite for the movie you just watched or the way you would have liked the evening to go with your family. This is all part of your voice.
Your voice is not just a story to tell; it is the way you tell the story. It embraces what you have to say.
You are a writer: You have a story to tell.
You have a story to tell. Your unique story contains more than just the events of your life or a tragedy you have overcome. Your life is a great story. It is a story of weakness, strength, redemption and victory. We all have a story, but the universality of a story doesn’t make it less special or unique. You have something to say because your journey is different from mine. Your victory came through various strengths and struggles. And your story is told in your voice, through your eyes, with your individual way of speaking.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24
Everything you write will be unique to you because of your voice and story. We can see the best example of this in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Every one of these gospels has a bit of a different twist on the same adventure. This is the beauty of the diversity of story with which God blessed us. Truth be told, I bet there is one gospel version of the story you like best because of the way it is told. It fits you uniquely! I like Luke, the physician, because of my medical background and interest!
You are a writer: Your story is important.
Telling your specific story is important. It is a testament to the grace of God in your life. We tell our stories for the glory of God.
Your story is not about you. Does it benefit you? Absolutely. Your story can bring great healing to others and sometimes to yourself as well. The point of telling your story is always to focus on the goodness of God in your life. It is an act of praise and worship to tell your story in ways that let others know how God has helped you.
And they have conquered him [satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11 ESV
The things you have walked through, overcome, or are still struggling with are for others to hear. You must obediently tell; they must obediently learn. Your story might embrace just the encouragement someone else needs to not give up. It might be a love letter from God so they know He is listening. It might lead to the reader’s salvation. You may never know or be told by another the results of your story. Your responsibility is to tell your story honestly and with sincerity. The rest is up to God.
Know this as you move forward:
- You are a writer.
- You have a voice.
- You have a story to tell.
- Your story is important.
Move forward on your writing journey with confidence that the world needs to hear what you have to say. It will not always be easy, but it will be fun—and it will be worth it.
Blessing for New Writers
God, bless Your writers with the confidence to write your story. Help them pick the right words to glorify You and the work You have done in their life. Help them understand that their story is important, and bless each person who needs to hear what they have to say. Amen
