Born to be a Writer

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

Were you born to be a writer?

Ten months ago I was told I had a year to live, maybe two. My body was being consumed by tumors resulting from “Stage IV, aggressive, incurable metastatic prostate cancer.” It was a sobering statement.

Thoughts of my imminent death led me down paths I’d not considered before. My attention turned to getting my life in order and positioning my wife in a situation that would provide constant support after I died. This became my primary focus. Hardly a thought was given to writing.Today, my doctor tells me he expects I’ll be around for at least a decade. And he confesses his amazement that I’m in near remission. Amazed because my prescribed treatment is only designed to manage—not cure—my cancer. It’s “incurable.” Yet, he and I both know the Lord is responsible for my turnaround, and can cure me if He so chooses.

So what’s my cancer got to do with writing? My thoughts were consumed by what ifs, and my days by medical appointments and trying to figure out how I would pay for everything. It was a major distraction. I had no desire to write. I would sit with hopes of progressing on my manuscript, but the words didn’t come— my characters ceased to converse with me.

But the Lord didn’t let me quit. During my quiet times, He would tell me to share an insight He’d given me via Facebook. Like Peter, God gave me the words for my monthly post on The Write Conversation. He helped me through my fears and limitations because I’m supposed to write.

We all deal with various challenges
when we sit down to write.

We all deal with various challenges when we sit down to write. Most, thankfully, are not life threatening. But they do keep us from doing what we know we must.

Our world bombards us with myriad reasons to avoid writing— especially when we seek to express the joy of living godly lives. Writing for Him guarantees we’ll be attacked by His, and our, enemies.

Waking to a barrage of distractions can be discouraging. The list of things that must be done runs through our minds until we’re overwhelmed. Then we create good reasons why we cannot write today—and perhaps ever.

But there is hope. Our defeat is not inevitable.

The God who created us and led us to become writers is always more powerful than anything the devil or life throws at us. He reminds us that we’re created in love—unconditional, and more important to Him than all His other creations. He assures us that with His guidance, we can accomplish all the important things that must be done and write.

By following His path for our lives, we will get through every challenge we face. He will protect us from our enemies and ourselves. He’ll provide the ideas, the time, the words we need to write for Him. Regardless of anything we’ve ever thought or done, the Lord can turn things around for us—if we just let Him.

The truth is if we write for Him—if we seek to show the world the hope and love the Lord offers—then we were born to write.

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. - Psalm 62:7 NLT

What do you think? Were you born to write? I really want to know. Let’s keep the conversation going.

TWEETABLES

We all face challenges when we sit down to write - @BDBrady007 (Click to Tweet)

Were You Born to Be a Writer? - thoughts from @BDBrady007 (Click to Tweet)

Bruce Brady is an author, writer and playwright. His work has appeared in Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, www.ChristianDevotions.us, and on stage. Currently, Bruce is working on a Young Adult Novel about a boy who must deal with the death of his dad, being bullied, and helping his mom through her grief. His first five pages took third place in the ACFW South Carolina Chapter’s “First Five Pages” contest.

When he’s not writing, Bruce spends time learning from and helping other writers. He serves as Mentor of Word Weavers International’s Online Chapter, and as a member of Cross ‘N’ Pens, The Writer’s Plot, ACFW’s National and South Carolina Chapters.

“My dream is to entertain my readers and give them hope as they travel the rocky road of life.”