© Copyright 2007 Theresa Harvard Johnson
When God is a part of your life, it is only natural to write about His love and its redeeming power. I receive manuscripts and requests from scribes all the time asking me to review their books, and provide feedback. I make it clear to them, however, that when I read their work I'm looking at three areas:
1. The voice of the Lord in their work
2. Biblical Soundness
3. The clarion call for salvation or the call for maturation
All three (3) of these things MUST be present in creative writings inspired of the spirit. You see, the voice of the Lord is His love, his clarion call for reconciliation. Biblical soundness leads back to the Word — which speaks of His love. The clarion call for salvation (whether it's a new convert or the strengthening of faith) — also speaks of Father's love. In other Words, all things point back to Him alone. For the prophetic writer, this must be t rue. That's why it is so important that scribes understand the three levels of writing and how they operate in the body: 1. Administrative, 2. Instructional and 3. Creative.
We must remember this one simple truth: "If God is speaking through you, then everything that is said WILL LINE UP with the philosophies and ideologies of Jesus Christ. Everything will lead back to discipleship, reconciliation and the overpowering love of God."
GOD IS FIRST AND FOREMOST LOVE. The definition of love is spelled out clearly in Galatians 5:22 as you in-depthly study the detailed meaning of each fruit of the Spirit. The greatest example of love is self-sacrifice which is clearly articulated in John 3:16 which we all know by heart. Another example of finding this evidence in someone's life can be found in 1 John 3:14. The scripture says: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."
The Amplified version of this reads: "We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians)."
God's definition of Love is not a "feeling" — it's a lifestyle of reconciliation and demonstration of that love.
I want you to begin to look at "creative" writing this way. There are many, many people who can tell a good story, draw readers into the plot and use words/language that evoke emotion. The thing is, it's not enough! That creative work must capture the HEART & MIND of God from beginning to end. It can still have your uniqueness as an author… writer …. minister of the gospel. But at the end of the day, a seed of salvation, restoration and love must be planted in that readers heart.
So I say to you, "What are you writing?" Is the "sound" or the "voice" on the inside of you… of your SOUL or of the Father? Let's take this one step further.
If it's not, then know that the writer has ALTERIOR MOTIVES ROOTED IN SELFISHNESS! Know that the writer has a strong, people pleasing spirit. Let's get real here… the truth hurts. But I pray that wisdom becomes the principle thing in His people's walk, and that love – the God kind of love – is the foundation from which we write. Always remember, that we are called to LIVE IN the Father. For us this means that we are consumed by Him… and always seeking to do whatever it is that He does.
