If God Called You to Write, Stop Waiting and Start Writing

From Edie: If God has called you to write, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Discover why taking action—rather than sitting still—is the first step to faithfully sharing the words God has given you.

If God Called You to Write, Stop Waiting and Start Writing

by Martin Wiles @LinesFromGod

I once held the position of head grader (supervisor, for all practical purposes) on third shift at a local textile mill. I had fallen into the position simply because I knew the superintendent of the entire department. To say I felt inadequate to hold the position is an understatement, but my friend assured me I could handle it. 

The person I replaced was being promoted to supervisor on second shift. So, I hung around with him at night as he taught me the ins and outs of the job. All the employees in that one department had been there longer than I had, even though I had worked in other departments of the mill. Still, they knew more than I did, which intimidated me even more. 

The supervisor saw my skepticism about handling the job but assured me I could do so. He gave me some sage advice: “If you don’t know what to do, just do something.” I suppose making a wrong decision was better than making no decision at all. And there were times when I had to. 

Jacob of old gave his sons similar advice after watching them sit around doing nothing while a famine ravaged their land, while food was available in nearby Egypt. “When Jacob learned that there was food in Egypt, he said to his sons, ‘Why do you sit around here and look at one another?’” Genesis 42:1 MSG

Jacob’s sons decided to act. They traveled to Egypt, where, unbeknownst to them, they met the brother they had earlier sold into slavery. But they also bought food that saved their family from starving. 

The advice not just to sit there but to do something is good advice in many practical ways. During the ice storm of 2026, I could have sat around and neglected to prepare. Instead, I salted the walkway, charged all our power banks, bought propane, bought a propane heater, and purchased a generator. Had the electricity gone out, my preparations would have provided great conveniences. 

Jacob’s advice is also appropriate for writers. I’ve met quite a few people who have said, “I think I’ll write a book.” Well, writing a book isn’t necessary. Many other avenues exist to get our writing in front of people, but if God has called us to write a book, then, by all means, we should. 

But I can’t help but wonder how many of those who said that to me—or other editors, mentors, or writers—ever wrote the book. Or wrote anything. The point is, if God has called us to write in whatever form or fashion, we should be faithful to his calling and write. In Jacob’s words, “Why do you sit around here and look at one another?”

Determining the when’s, where’s, how’s, how often’s, and to what extent’s can come later. At present, just write. Life’s greatest satisfaction comes from doing what God has called us to do. Satan will throw every excuse and hindrance in our path that he can, but God can help us soar over every hurdle the enemy places in our way. 

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If God Called You to Write, Stop Waiting and Start Writing from Martin Wiles (@LinesFromGod) on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at mandmwiles@gmail.com.