Writing Success—Writing Against the Grain

by Bruce Brady @BDBrady007

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy. ”But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!” (2 Kings 5:10-11)

How many times do we miss God’s miracles on our lives because He doesn't do things the way we expect?
Naaman nearly missed God’s healing because of his pride—his expecting God to do things his way. Fortunately, God offered Naaman one more chance at complete healing, and did so while dealing with Naaman’s pride as well. God delivered His second message of hope through Naaman’s servant. The servant encouraged Naaman by pointing out that Naaman had nothing to lose by doing it God’s way. Naaman listened, did as God instructed, and was healed.

All too often, we writers want God to help us get our stories—our messages—out to the public. But we want Him to do it our way. Then we’re confused, frustrated, even angry when it doesn’t work out. We want Him to bless us without our having to yield to His directions. And God doesn’t operate that way.

Throughout Scripture, God makes it very clear that His way is the best way. And His way is only offered to those who completely yield to His lordship. In Proverbs 16:9, He tells us that we can intricately plan everything in our lives, but He determines the process and outcome. We can’t refuse to do things His way and expect ultimate success. However, following His lead will produce the best possible outcome for each of us.

Some level of success can be reached by doing things our own way. But we need to understand that our way is inherently opposed to the Lord’s way. One of the enemy’s greatest tools is convincing us that we can do most everything on our own. We can achieve self-made successes. And some reach echelons of worldly success without God. But they still fall short of what they could accomplish with God.

Even if we manage to hang on to our earthly success until we take our last breath, is it worth losing our souls?

So how do we work with God to reach our greatest potential? He answers that question in the 9th chapter of Luke: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am.” (Luke 9:23 MSG) We don’t accomplish our best by telling God how He can help us. And He’s not open to mixing in our plans and ideas with His. We only reach our full potential when we completely surrender to His lead.

This means we don’t write to appease the worldly. We don’t include foul language, graphic violence, and explicit sex because we’re told that’s what readers want.

It means telling His truth. It means writing stories that show the benefits of fully following Him, and the consequences of following our own paths—Satan’s paths. It means working harder and maybe longer to get our tales just right without offending our Father.

Yes, being obedient to Him may be more difficult. And we may never reach the level of success we hope. But we will reach the levels of achievement that is best for each of us—those planned for us before our birth. And with them, He will bless us with the joy and peace that comes with knowing we are pleasing Him.

What do you say? Are you willing to accept the success God has in store for you? Bless you all. Let’s keep this conversation going in the comments.

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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.”