Write the Hard Stuff

"It's not easy to be a writer, but we must commit to write out of passion." Andy Lee 

by Andy Lee @WordsByAndyLee

I don’t tell God “no” often. When he gives me an assignment, I’m off and running. I’m a faith junky—usually. But the other day that still, small voice whispered something that made me run in the other direction. My first reaction was not, “Here I am, Lord! Send me!”

Nope. I wasn’t Isaiah.

I didn’t fall to my knees as the humble Mary of Nazareth. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

Nope.

My words sounded more like, “Nope. Not gonna do it.”

Of course, my “nope” leaves room for dialogue with the Father. I don’t want to miss an opportunity, but this assignment will involve rejection. Strong disagreement. And haters who refuse to consider another view.

As I told my prayer partner about this, laughter bubbled from then other end. She knows this people-pleaser chickens out of the controversial topics, and she knows that God loves me enough to free me from such idolatry. With much wisdom she spoke once her giggles subsided.

“Andy, what if that book frees one soul? How can you not write it?”

I swallowed hard, and tears welled. How could I not write a book that could free one gifted, yet too bound to use her gift?

Has God called you to a book or an article you’d rather let someone else write?

The truth is, someone probably has written it in her words or his way, but nobody has inked the passion, the truth, or story as you can. I hate it when my own advice comes back to haunt me, but I wrote in A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called:

“Comparison often stops us from taking those first steps of faith—from painting the picture, writing that song, or publishing our book; we assume it’s already been painted or written before. But if God has called you; if he has given you that dream; then he has purpose that only you can fulfill. Someone needs to hear the message only you can write or paint. Someone needs to hear the gospel through your shaky voice because you love them and have walked in their shoes.”

We must write out of our passion.

When our writing emerges from the depths of our healing, and our freedom, our truth united with Jesus’s truth sets the captives free.

It’s not easy being a writer. And I confess that as much as I begrudge the “feel good” books that our culture is driven to, it would be a lot easier to stick with those types of projects.

But I’m not called to that, not this time.

What if no publisher will touch this book with a ten-foot pole? Well, then I won’t have to worry about the haters and bad reviews. But I will have obeyed what I believed God told me to do. And I know he loves that.

I know that if just one person is freed, maybe someone reading the manuscript, it’s worth it.

What’s God calling you to write today? Did you say “no” too?

Let’s grab hands and say “yes” together. Let’s jump off the cliff of obedience. Remember, it’s not about the numbers and making everybody feel good, it’s about one person being freed. Obedience is worth it.

Write the hard stuff.

Oh, man, I think I just talked myself into writing another book.

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet (and hands) of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15 addition mine).

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Andy lee is the author of A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called and The Book of Ruth Key Word Study: A 31 Day Journey to Hope and Promise. She is a blogger, inspirational speaker, and empty-nest survivor. Join hundreds of viewers on her Facebook Live broadcast Monday-Friday for the Bite of Bread, and visit her website at www.wordsbyandylee.com where Andy writes about digging deep to live fully.