Being a Christian Writer is a Testimony

Some writers do not aspire to be Hemingway

Tell someone that you are a writer, and the next question is, “Wow! What do you write?” When you say, “Devotional books,” or “Bible studies,” there will be a long silence, then “Oh.” You might even say “Christian fiction,” and you are still likely to be met with a furrowed brow as people puzzle over the right response to such a revelation.

Many people make their living as writers and never write a word of fiction, but the world at large thinks a writer is trying to be a Hemingway. A non-Christian who writes advertisements or policy manuals contends with this problem just as Christian writers do, but being a Christian writer puts a unique spin on the problem. Being face to face with a writer of Christian meditations is almost as scary as being face to face with a preacher. If you are a Christian writer, you can shut down conversation by saying so.

You must view this moment of silence as an opportunity. The silence is God’s moment to prepare someone’s heart for your testimony. The next words out of your mouth will be as important as anything you ever write. You have the attention of someone who is briefly struck dumb. You can talk about what you write, why you write, where you write, or to whom you write, or you can say, “Isn’t this the craziest weather ever?” and let the moment pass.

God uses writing as well as writers

I had the good fortune to be upgraded to first class one Sunday evening on a flight to Atlanta. At the time, I was working as a database consultant, but my heart’s work was writing meditations for my church newsletter. I had a few minutes before takeoff to settle in comfortably, so I dug my Bible and my notebook out of my carryon and began outlining a piece for the newsletter. I was briefly interrupted when my seatmate arrived, but he sat down quietly with little dither. I returned to my writing. As we reached cruising altitude, he said, “I see you are a Christian lady. I noticed your Bible. What are you doing?” I responded, “You’re right. I am a Christian. I’m writing a meditation for my church’s newsletter.” “Well, I used to go to church a lot,” he said, “but I’m too busy for that these days.” “How so?” I asked.

By the time we reached Atlanta, I knew a great deal about how this man had fallen away from faith and wandered away from his church. I had a chance to share how I stayed connected with my husband and my church, even though I traveled 100% for work in which 12-hour days passed for “normal.” When we stood up to leave the plane, he said,

“I’m really glad I got to talk with you. I am definitely going to church this Sunday. If you can do it, I can do it.”

I will never know, of course, if he actually followed up on his promise. My work is to testify and scatter the seeds. Ripening and harvest are the work of the Holy Spirit. I do know with certainty that God used my calling as a writer to reach out for this lamb who was lost in the wilderness of cultural addiction to busyness as a justification for ignoring God. I do know that God’s call to me to be a writer opened a door for his holy purposes in that man’s life.

Christians are always on trial

It can happen to you, as well. There are times when acknowledging that you are a Christian writer can feel extremely awkward. Remember that Peter said,

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV84)

If you are ready for those who ask, you are ready for those who fear to ask. Do not forget Jesus’ promise,

“don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.” (Luke 12:11 The Message)

We don’t need to be dragged into court. Christians are on trial before the culture in every place. In airplanes and restaurants and grocery store checkout lanes, we are always at risk. Our faithful preparation to give answer becomes raw material used by the Holy Spirit to shape the words we need in every situation.

We write in obedience to God’s call, but beyond the words we write, the act of obedience can, itself, become an instrument God uses for his purposes. The man I spoke with never did read a word of my writing, but God used the fact that I was writing to attract his attention and open the door for my testimony of faith.

Question for commenting below: How has your writing opened other doors for your testimony?

by Katherine Harms, author of Oceans of Love available for Kindle at Amazon.com.

Bible Quotations from:

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (1 Peter 3:15). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Luke 12:11–12). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.

Photo Credit: Clément Alloing – CAphotography via Compfight cc