The only way for you to write excellent books is to find your completion in Jesus. As we put off the old, and put on the new, He calls us to be a writer. This is an important discovery. And, you must take it seriously. The problem is that most of us look in the wrong direction. We look to the story. But the Lord would have us start with the author.

We must grow in Him

“But you did not learn about Christ in this manner,… as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:20-24‬ ‭MEV‬‬

Before we can produce anything worth reading, we must let the Holy Spirit have His way. As a new creation, like any baby, all we can do is burp, cry, smear, giggle, and fill diapers. We must learn to sit, crawl, stand, walk, climb, think, build, communicate, love, and share. Even then all I’m capable of is drivel.

For I must mature. John Follette in Broken Bread says it like this:

That he may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God… The standard would seem quite impossible for (any) to reach, but Jesus was setting the standard for the new man, not the natural man… All the character qualities…are to be found in the new creation.

So, there is hope. His purpose within is to make us completely, as designed. As we give up our life to Him, the Spirit gives us the liberty to see who each of us really is. Without the Lord, we simply wander around in the lusts of our flesh and mind. I’m reading one of them now. The author is much more concerned with wittiness than Truth. Snappy repartee is supposed to be an adequate substitute for wisdom and edification. It’s not.

Though I’m enjoying the read, useful content is pretty sparse. I’m not talking about doctrine, preaching, or Christianese. What is missing is the reality of relationships, true direction, or actual hope. If these truths are part of our lives, they will shine forth in the books we write. We can’t share what we’re not living.

Find your completion in Jesus to write excellently

His call is to free you, giving you liberty to fulfill yourself in His plan for you. Without Him, you may have a best-seller, fame, fortune, and a completely wasted life. For without the growth inspired by the Spirit, everything will be burned up along with any hoped-for awards.

With His power, you can change lives, provide comfort and encouragement, and be a wise servant.