For Seasoned Writers: Keep Listening and Learning, Part Two in Seasons of Stewardship

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

See last month for For New Writers: Take Time to Grow, Part One in Seasons of Stewardship by Audrey Frank

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

1 Samuel 3:19

Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.

1 Samuel 8:10

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?” 

2 Samuel 7:3

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew, and He did not let any of his words fall to the ground. The rest of Samuel’s life was marked with powerful simplicity: “Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people…” 

Telling all the words of the Lord to the people included teaching and mentoring younger word-stewards. According to Jewish history, among Samuel’s students was a young scholar named Nathan. Although the author of 1 and 2 Samuel is unknown, it is commonly believed that Nathan recorded the events of 2 Samuel. In any case, Samuel’s student modeled what he learned from his mentor: a listening and teachable heart. 

One measure of maturity for writers is a lifelong willingness to continue listening and learning from the Giver of Words.

The more words I produce in my life, the greater vigilance I must practice. A listening, teachable heart must be guarded. It is natural to make expertise the goal. It is unnatural to remain surrendered and teachable. Therefore the seasoned writer must exercise discipline to ensure an experienced heart does not become a closed heart.

We who follow Jesus steward words differently than those who do not know the One who created the world with words. There should be an awe about us than never wanes. There is a wildness about our Word-Giver, an unpredictability about His creativity and the potential of His great power to constantly do something new. He broods over our darkness, bent on creation. And He creates using words.

I want to be ready, my pen poised like the proverbial lamp filled with oil. My pen is my lamp and His voice is my ink. I want to share the words He gives, words with power to make things new.

So I must remain alert, listening, willing to learn, no matter how many books I have published or words I have written.

Nathan was a listening learner and also understood that his words were servants to the Word. He was not ashamed to retract his words if they were in error. A seasoned word steward continually surrenders her words to the greater authority of the Lord. When King David sought Nathan’s advice about building a house for God, Nathan answered without first seeking the Lord. He answered without much thought, with the wisdom he had, and gave an answer that seemed right to him.

But as he slept that night, the Lord spoke a different message to him for the king. Because Nathan was a surrendered listener and learner, he heard God’s words and obeyed, giving no thought or apology for the opposite counsel he had given the day before.

A seasoned word steward is under the full authority of the Lord’s words. He does not strive for his own merit and authority. He only serves the Lord, not himself. Humility is another hallmark of the mature writer who follows Jesus.

Listen, learn, and be humble, seasoned writer.

Lord, grant me a teachable heart. Help me listen to Your words and humbly give them to others. Amen.

TWEETABLE

For Seasoned Writers: Keep Listening and Learning, Part Two in Seasons of Stewardship from @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't Miss the Other Post in this Series!

For New Writers, Take Time to Grow

For Seasoned Writers: Keep Listening and Learning 

Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.

Audrey is the author of Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World (Harvest House Publishers), an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available at favorite booksellers: BARNES & NOBLE , BOOKS A MILLION, AMAZON.