Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Work

From Edie: Writing with enthusiasm transforms our work. Audrey shows us how to learn how to embrace Colossians 3:23–24 and write from the soul for God’s glory and eternal reward.

Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Work

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24, NET).

I was trudging through the fourth straight hour of research into the unreached, unengaged people groups in North Africa. Unreached and unengaged mean there are no Christians and no viable church in a given population. In just one North African country, there are 34 unreached, unengaged people groups, equaling over 40 million people.

This year, I committed to the Lord that I would send a prayer prompt every week to ramp up prayer for this part of the world.

As I finished the edits on the last one, I noticed how irritable I had become. Riotous thoughts marched through my stinking heart. Thoughts like, “I could be doing writing that pays me for my four hours.” (Prideful! Who said anyone would pay me for my writing?)

Although my task started with holy conviction, I was not working at it with enthusiasm. As I grumbled, I grew more selfish. I was working for myself and my reward. The women in one Saharan tribe, so heavily veiled they leave only one small circle to peek through, who aren’t allowed to speak to the opposite sex, or ever leave their communities, seemed far away. All I wanted was what I wanted, and my hypocrisy stung like a wasp stuck in my shirt on a bike ride.

But God is kind. The glorious good news is that although our selfishness may be very near at any given day, so is His grace. Just pausing to notice how we are working literally makes a world of difference.

Whatever you are doing…

Conjugation carries meaning, and Paul’s particular use of the present progressive here in Greek implies that he was referring to whatever work his readers were already doing. Not good intentions for future work.

What are you already writing right now?

…work at it with enthusiasm…

Enthusiasm means from the soul. The Greek word is ψυχή (psychē). It conveys life, breath, and the essence of what makes us move and exist.

When I write with life and breath, from the very essence of what makes me move and exist, I empower other souls to rise and intercede for the nations.

What is the essence of what makes you move and exist? Write about it!

…as to the Lord and not for people…

We necessarily operate in a world of other people. Writers need mentors, editors, agents, and publishers. But Christian writers write from our souls for the One who gave our souls life. When we check submission guidelines and carefully follow them, we do it with excellence because it honors God and people. When we accept an editor’s stinging critique, we surrender to the Lord and ask what He would teach us through the disappointment. He is our constant, and we work as unto Him, not people. We cannot go wrong if we practice this. Our words will go where they are meant to go, according to His will. And that is what matters most.

…because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.

How can Christian writers practice working with enthusiasm? The secret lies in the source of our reward for all that hard work. Am I so focused on my reward that the reward the Lord gives seems unattractive?

I’m working to see the nations in heaven with me one day. Now that’s a reward worth working for.

The practice of work is soul work.

What will you write from your soul today?

Lord, I want to write for You, with all my heart. I set my eyes on the only reward that matters. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TWEETABLE

Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Work from @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't Miss The Other Spiritual Practices for Writers!

JANUARY: THE PRACTICE OF PLANNING
FEBRUARY: THE PRACTICE OF TRUSTING
MARCH: THE PRACTICE OF HOPING
APRIL: THE PRACTICE OF WAITING
MAY: THE PRACTICE OF DISCIPLINE
JUNE: THE PRACTICE OF PERSEVERANCE

JULY: THE PRACTICE OF PROCLAIMING

AUGUST: THE PRACTICE OF HUMILITY

SEPTEMBER: THE PRACTICE OF WORK

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.