I Must Write the Truth

I started a new book a few weeks ago. The book is along the same lines as my last book, “Don’t Drink the Green Juice!” It is entertaining and spiritual wisdom for women written from personal experience. The title is “Watch that last step!” It will sell. But I can’t write it.

I started another book in 2018 that is way different. It is a study in Isaiah and speaks to the moral downfall of American people and the warnings from God to come back to Him. People may not buy it. I have to write it.

I was doing my devotions this morning and God spoke to me that I needed to write the words that He gives me and not what I think people want to hear. I am reading a book by Sharon Hodde Miller titled “Free of Me.” Actually, I am reading it for the second time. In the past two months. It’s that good. Especially today. I was reading the part about making my calling about me. Sharon told the story of writing for a popular Christian magazine and how she was criticized for the topics she wrote on. So she started writing for the people. She avoided the “hard stuff” and wrote on what was safe. What people wanted to hear. I did the same thing.

God gave me the words to “Submission is NOT a Four – letter Word” and I wrote them down. I was criticized. One woman wrote, “I don’t believe in submission.” and gave me one star on the review. I was invited to do a radio spot to promote the book. No responses. I was crushed. I read the book and believed that it was the message God had given me for women of all ages and phases of life, but no one liked the word submission. I, like Sharon Hodde Miller, decided to change my voice. I changed to entertaining with a Christian slant. I got to the title and the introduction. I told about how my fall down the last step to the basement triggered the idea for the book. I even contacted the lady who did my last book cover and told her I wanted the same type of cover for my next book. And that is as far as I got. the words would not come. I had no desire to open my laptop and add to the chapters. And now, thank you Sharon, I know why. I was writing to be heard of man.

I can’t do that. I have to be true to my calling. I can no longer write to be praised by people. I can no longer check the reviews and comments to make sure that people enjoy what I write. I have to be true to my calling. I can no longer allow a “me – centered” calling; my calling is from God. And I will write the words He gives me whether all agree with them or not. God has prepared those who need to read the books that I write. No amount of promotion can replace the fact that if God called me to it, He will see me through it and get the books into the hands of those He chooses. He has a plan so much bigger than any marketing scheme I could ever put together.

Before I left work yesterday, my friend wished me an early Happy Birthday and told me to do something that I enjoy this weekend. I enjoy following God’s lead. And God is leading me to write. To release myself and let Him take the keyboard. So I am writing. And listening to that still small voice.

I may complete “Watch that last step!” someday, but for now, I’m going to take the hard road and finish the study on Isaiah. People are probably not going to like it as well, but God will. I am making my choice to submit to God and His calling on my life.