Christian writers often experience the nagging sense that we’re missing something important. Am I writing what I’m supposed to write? Am I doing everything I’m supposed to do to steward my writing? There are so many more things I want to do and write, but I have all these other roles and responsibilities to steward simultaneously! How can I manage my time, energy, and resources well?
Left unanswered too long, these questions rob us of the fulfillment we expected in pursuing the call to write for God’s glory. We believe we’re called to write, yet we either lack the time, energy, or focus to actually put words on a page, or we diligently work at it but feel we’re spinning our wheels and never truly bearing fruit.
Writing is an act of creation, and the best example to follow is God himself, the Creator of the world. In the account of God’s creation of the world in Genesis 1, we see that he created with an order. First, he created a realm or frame, and then he created things or “beings” to fill it.
Consider the order of events detailed in Genesis 1:
Days 1–3: God created the light, sky, bodies of water, and dry land.
Days 4–6: God created the sun, moon, stars, birds and fish, animals and people.
God created humans uniquely—in his image—and then he gave us dominion or “rule” over the earth—our “realm”. By God’s design, the realm offers purpose to those who inhabit it, provision to fulfill that purpose, and pleasure in the process.
We can apply this to our writing. If God has called us to write, he has called us to write in a particular “realm”. Put another way, there’s a frame we’re perfectly fitted to fill. When we recognize the boundaries of that realm or frame, we enjoy a deep sense of purpose, the provision we need to fulfill God’s call, and pleasure in our work.
Generally, as writers, we write most effectively when we clearly define the realm over which God has given us dominion. If we attempt to write for anyone and everyone about anything or everything, we struggle to truly connect with readers and feel frustrated and fruitless. We wander aimlessly around the vast world of words, longing to nourish others yet withering without roots. In contrast, when we take the time to define a specific area of interest, a specific message, and a specific group of people for whom we write, we gain purpose, direction, and clarity in our writing. Faithfully serving the readers whom God has called us to influence starts with understanding the boundaries of that sphere of influence. Before we can “rule” our writing, we must understand our writing realm.
When I first started writing online, I wrote about anything that came to mind—from recipes to parenting advice, spiritual reflections to humorous stories, historical accounts to poetry, and so much more. I didn’t know who I was writing for or what message I hoped to convey, and I often felt uninspired or directionless. Publishing a piece was anticlimactic and unsatisfying.
I also believed I had to write “everywhere” to ensure I connected with readers. I tried maintaining an active blog in addition to Substack and Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles. I dabbled in YouTube, wrote for various publications, and stayed committed to writing for and teaching at my church. But all this activity was impossible to sustain without falling apart.
I needed a narrower realm.
Prayerfully, I evaluated how God has uniquely designed and equipped me. As I clarified the message he has called me to write, I gained clarity about the readers he has called me to reach and the best places or platforms to share my words. Essentially, I defined the frame God called me to fill.
Counterintuitively, narrowing my focus and recognizing my limitations felt liberating and increased my creativity and pleasure in my work. Now, I primarily write to inspire women and writers to love the Bible, “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), and wield the written word for God’s glory. I abandoned social media and Substack to devote all my writing time and energy to the work I find most fulfilling.
Knowing our realm—the boundaries within which we are called, designed, and equipped to write—empowers us to write more effectively and to thrive in our writing endeavors. Sticking within a clearly defined frame provides direction and inspiration and guards us against overextending ourselves. It leads to greater fulfillment and enjoyment in our efforts because of a deeper sense of purpose.
Are you uncertain of the writing realm God designed you for? Dedicate some time to pray for clarity and assess your unique limitations—God’s gift to give you purpose, provision, and pleasure. The following journaling prompts might help.
- What themes consistently emerge in your writing? If you could write about one theme for the next five years, what would it be?
- Who do you feel called and equipped to serve based on your experiences, knowledge, and passion?
- What aspects of writing are most fulfilling for you? What aspects are most draining?
- How can you focus your writing time and energy on the message, readers, and activities that are the most life-giving to you?
