Our Writing Life Improves as We Focus on Community with God

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

All creatives need community. We need safe places to share our hopes and our dreams and we need people who spur us on and inspire us. It’s hard to create in a vacuum. 

Even more importantly, we need community and communion with God. He is the ultimate creator. He gave each of us a specific gift—we have creativity in common—but the way it manifests itself is unique for every person. Our creative gift is no better or worse than anyone else’s. 

But as I’ve said so many times, it’s impossible to get water from a dry well. And for writers—and other creatives—this is truth. We must constantly return to the source of living water to replenish our own reserves. 

As we begin a new month, let's take some time to be deliberate and disciplined about connecting with God. Below I have 5 tips. Following that, are practical things we can do for each of the five to make that connection. 

5 Tips to Help Writers Connect with God 

1. Prayer: Prayer is a conversation with God. It involves speaking and being silent so we can listen. Prayer is NOT reciting a list of wants or even hopes and dreams. 

2. Study: God has already given us so much of Himself through His Holy Word. I for one don’t take advantage of that gift. Instead it sits in a closet in my mind while I whine for a new gift. 

3. Fellowship: Just like our Bible verses says, “Do not forsake the gathering together…” For me, when life gets difficult, I disappear. Just like a turtle, I pull my head inside my shell and snap at anyone who dares to come close. 

4. Exercise: Yes, moving physically is an important component to refilling the well. For those who struggle with health issues, it may mean sitting on a chair outside for a few minutes, or walking around the room. For those of us blessed with good health, it means a brisk walk or even a game of tennis. 

But there’s another thing we need to exercise—the gift God has given us. Do I believe the old adage use it or lose it? Well, not exactly. The Bible tells us very clearly in Romans 11:29 that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. But our gifts become rusty and stiff without use. Just like the gift of God’s word, my calling can be relegated to a dusty corner of my life and forgotten. 

5. Submission: Yep, you heard that write. I believe that as writers we must submit our work

• First to God
• Then to other writers for critique and gentle feedback
• Finally to the world

PRACTICAL, Creative Connections for Each Point

1. Prayer: Assemble a prayer book. 

• Take some paper: any kind that you can write on (many kinds are even better).
• Tear that paper into fairly similar size pieces: no smaller than 3” x 3”. If you’re not feeling creative, get some index cards and use them instead. 
• You need 30 pieces. 
• For the next 30 days, write one single prayer about your writing on each slip of paper. It can be a secret want, an open door, blessing on your current work, even something to do with social media or attending a conference. Doesn’t matter, just write one single request a day.
• Decorate the pages as you’d like on the side where you wrote your prayer request. Leave the other side mostly blank because we’re going to use it in the next exercise. 
• Bind them together using a binder clip, needle and thread or punch holes and use a binder ring. 
• Put this prayer book somewhere near where you write so you can see it daily. 
• Sit back and watch God work. Every time God answers a prayer, make a note of it somehow on that page and record the date.

2. Study: Add to your prayer book.

For this, every day you write a prayer, ask God to lead you to a relevant Bible verse. You can write out that verse on the back of that prayer page or just add the scripture reference. 

3. Fellowship:

Gather together in a group (online or in person) and commit to pray for one another. You can gather in groups of 2 or more. Encourage each other for the next 30 days. 

4. Exercise:

Commit to regular physical activity and regular exercise of your gift of writing (or if you’re here and you’re not a writer, the creative gift God has given you). 

5. Submission:

Tell those that you’re praying with how you’re exercising your gift. Be accountable and submit yourselves to one another. Spur each other on.

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives.Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, X (formally Twitter) and on Instagram.