Should I write a book?
There are so many great books about finding your identity and purpose, it was hard to imagine that I had something new to add to the topic.
After my encounter with God that I write about in my book, Untangled, a desire started growing in me to write. I loved to share what I have discovered as the Father revealed His heart to me. However, taking the risk to open my heart to the world, was a different arena. One that I did not quite feel prepared for. I wanted to be completely convinced that this was God calling me, rather than acting on a novel idea.
This is only one of the reasons that I waited nearly ten years before I finally said yes and started writing my book. Three years and six books later, I am looking back in awe and wonder to see what God has done in me and released through me. I could not have done this with my own strength, knowledge, and skills.
From what I have seen, working with writers over the last few years, there is a breed of writers who are not interested in writing for the sake of publishing a book. For them, it is not about an additional stream of income, but about kingdom impact. These are the ones who feel that there is a heavenly mandate upon them to create and release what has been deposited in them. They are called to write.
Here are some important things to consider if you are wrestling with the same question:
Have you asked the Holy Spirit?
This may seem like an obvious question, but have you asked the Holy Spirit whether you are called to write? If you have, that’s wonderful.
I would encourage you to delve even deeper into that conversation. What is His dream for you as a writer? What is the message that you are anointed to bring? You will be surprised by what He shows you when you take the time to explore your call to write with Him.
Does it bring you joy or energise you, regardless of the outcome?
If the thought of sitting behind a computer for hours on end makes you want to run in the opposite direction, I would seriously pray about whether this is something you are called to do. God doesn’t often call us to do things that are out of line with our design, personality, and capacity. This doesn’t mean that what He calls us to do isn’t going to push us outside of our comfort zone. The important question to ask yourself is what is going to motivate me to put in the effort (and it does take a lot of effort) to finish the race (or the manuscript – and that is just the start!)?
The other question to ask yourself is, will I be all right if what I expect to happen with my book, doesn’t look like I imagine? The idea of writing a book is one thing. The reality of it is another. Believe me, the writing process will uncover all insecurities and every lie from the enemy still lurking in your heart. If you’re up for the bumpy ride, then keep reading!
Do you have a message that you are passionate about?
What is the thing that you are most passionate about? Do you feel like you have this heavenly cause that drives you to show up in the power of the Spirit every day? Could writing be a vehicle for exploring that cause and creating impact? One of the things I realised as I was writing my books was that there was an underlying message about identity and purpose, that keeps showing up. I am particularly passionate about reaching out to a younger generation, who has not yet discovered who they are. Knowing that I can create an impact in their lives through the vehicle of storytelling is something that I feel rather passionate about.
If you are passionate about expanding God’s kingdom in a specific area, or genre, keep writing!
Have you received prophetic words about writing?
God will often confirm His call through a word of knowledge or prophecy. It is so important to treasure those words that He gives you. Write them down. Go back to them regularly. He loves to give us pictures and clues about the beauty and power He has deposited in us. When He does, it is amazing and so motivating. However, if you haven’t had some kind of supernatural sign that you should write a book, it doesn’t mean that you are not called to it.
Don’t wait for some miraculous sign to appear before you start. Whenever you say yes to what you sense God is calling you to do, your faith will be rewarded.
Do you have a strong desire to write?
If there is a strong desire in you to write, then chances are that it is the very thing you were created to do. We can glorify God through our desires. He is most likely the one who placed that desire within you. Does going on desire alone make you nervous? Then ask yourself why? What damage could be done if you follow that desire? You are writing to make an impact in the world. You are carrying a message of faith, hope, and love. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t follow the desire of your heart.
Just make sure that the desire is not attached to your identity. Being a writer is not even a tiny bit glamorous. It has been likened to childbirth for a reason. You are choosing to step into a season of labour. However, something beautiful will be birthed through you if you don’t give up.
Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, Christian or secular content, Kingdom writers write with a different goal in mind. They write for impact. We may not always see the fruit of our labour this side of eternity, but we can rest assured that nothing that we do in faith, with God, will ever go unnoticed, or unrewarded.
The road can be arduous and the journey overwhelming at times, so don’t do it alone. Join a great community of like-hearted people who will cheer you on every step of the way. Let’s continue to champion each other as we run the race set before us… or write the books we were born to write.
*If you would like to explore your call to write, The Answering The Call To Write Workbook is a great tool. It contains 95 pages of coaching that will walk you through the process from saying YES to your call to write, to launching your book. Get your copy today!
