Over the next several weeks, I’m going to address the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY of writing. This should be fun, don’t you think? I’m not giving any hints as to what each of these subjects will entail, except for the first one…obviously. Keeping you in suspense just might get you to come back.
Do you know if you were born to write? The Bible states in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 that we as Christians are given spiritual gifts. Some of us have the gift of wisdom, others the gift of knowledge, prophecy, healing, and so on. In verse 28, we learn that God also gives the gift of administration and teaching. God does not equip everyone to preach or teach, but each of us play an important role in the Body of Christ. A teacher can’t teach without students, and a preacher can’t preach without a congregation. If someone attempts to preach without the God-given ability to do it, he or she won’t have a congregation for long. The same holds true for any other talent. Not everyone can paint a landscape, construct a house, design a website, or write a novel. If you don’t have the natural propensity to do any of these things, you’re just spinning your wheels. We need to be honest about our own talents. Have we been equipped to weave a story that not only entertains, but serves a purpose? I believe that God gives each of us a desire to fulfill His destiny early on in life, Christian or not. Think of a young child who can’t stop doodling, a teenager who loves photography, or a person who lives to mingle. My daughter is a social butterfly. She’ll go out of her way to greet someone and express a genuine interest in that person. She has done this at a very early age, and I can’t help but wonder if God plans for her to enter the medical or psychiatric field where she can practice her nurturing ability. Think back to when you were a child. What are some of the activities you enjoyed? Did you write poems, make greeting cards, or create plays for you and your siblings to participate in? These are the kind of clues that will indicate your talents. I also believe that God will give His children the ability to enjoy the talent He blesses them with.  Sure, some might try to run away from it, but once they take the first step, they won’t get enough of it. As a child, I wrote tons of stories, but lacked the courage to share them with others. Did I look at my ability to write as a gift from God? Not at all, but when I stopped long enough to listen, I heard His call and took it serious. Today, I enjoy writing. I treat it as a ministry and God has blessed my efforts.

I hope I addressed this subject of WHO an author is. It is not someone seeking fame and fortune, but rather someone who truly wants to make a difference by serving the Creator of All and putting His gifts to good use. If you’re still not sure if you were born to write, don’t worry. If God has called you into this ministry, He will keep nudging you until you hear His call.