I have struggled with this for years. I love to write but feel that if one has a talent that they should serve the Lord with that gift. I love God with all my heart but love writing mainstream stories. Should I be only be devoting my talent to serving God?
2007-03-19 09:00:39 · 24 answers · asked by Jen 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Go for it.
2007-03-19 09:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I, too, am a writer and a Christian, and I struggled with this myself. I eventually came to the conclusion that God gave me the gift of writing because He wanted me to be a writer. If God wanted me to be a nun or a social worker or a nurse, He would have given me other gifts.
Also, don't think that you're not doing the Lord's work just because you're writing novels. Just think of all the people who you will make happy because they read your books. The best five minutes or hour of someone's day might be spent reading your book. Think of the all the people who live crazy, stress-filled lives. The only moment of peace they may have all day is when they sit and read your books. This is a great gift to give to people, and it certainly counts as serving the Lord! Just think of what the world would be missing if J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, Madeline L'Engle, Dan Brown, and Anne Lamott had decided to be ministers or teachers instead!
However, if you still feel a need to serve the needy, you can volunteer once a week at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter, do a walk for charity, donate food and clothing to charity, or give blood.
Good luck!
2007-03-19 16:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. You should use your gift to bring glory to God, but that does not mean that you must only write books about Jesus. God can be glorified in many ways. One possibility is through the use of symbolism. You can have a story that is mainstream on the outside, but has a deeper meaning for people who might be able to pick up on certain things. I once wrote a story based on dragon-lore...in a fantasy setting that was all symbolic of Christianity. On the surface it looked like a fantasy story...inside it was a theological debate on salvation, submission, and growing more mature as a Christian.
But even if you do not use symbolism but just write a non-Christian story, that does not mean that you can not glorify God. Perhaps you will become one of the famous novelists of our time...and you can use your position to let people know that you honor God. That's another way that your talent can indirectly glorify God.
2007-03-19 16:11:32 · answer #3 · answered by Guvo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that if you are a good writer you should follow your inspiration and write secular novels as well. If God gave you this talent, with it you can make people happy or help them forget pains in life, even if it is only for a short moment. This way you serve God even though you write secular novels.
2007-03-19 16:08:35 · answer #4 · answered by remy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you thik that you were given a talent to hide it or burry it? Is everyone supposed to write or compose only scriptural works of art? Should a painter paint only Bible scenes? Is writing spiritual music the only way that your music might serve others or your god?
Should an engineer design only churches? Should all people with talents use them in only church promoting methods? Should web-designers only build religious web sites?
You've got talent. If you wish to use it, do so. As long as you are true to yourself and your faith, how can you be slighting God?
Then again, I'm not Christian, but I think it strange when a Christian artist feels guilty for being a part of the world they live in. Do you think that the first-century fishermen caught fish only for the early Christians? You were given a gift to serve all of mankind, just as farmers grow food for everyone.
2007-03-19 16:08:49 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You mean like Lord of the Rings? Written by a Christian, I believe it serves God and is one of the greatest works I've seen.
Submit your gift to God, I'm sure your work will be beautiful and serve God. It's okay if it doesn't constantly use religious language. :-)
2007-03-19 16:06:15 · answer #6 · answered by peacetimewarror 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who's to say that writing mainstream novels isn't serving the lord? If you profit from these novels and they don't go against the teachings of the Bible, you could use your profits to serve the Lord. To serve the Lord, you don't have to be in peoples face about it, you can be subtle.
2007-03-19 16:05:30 · answer #7 · answered by Casual Traveler 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. But which way can you serve by your writing talent. Tom Paine knew how to 'write' and helped the revolution. All publishing wants is to sell the most books to the least intelligent. They are 'formulized' and expect clutter...so, forget about reality if you wish to write true fiction for either groups.
Pray about it. God is listening.
2007-03-19 16:09:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Secular novels is classified as work.
Work! Write.
I also write and am in the middle of getting my book published. I have a sister who is also a firm Christian who just got through with getting her children's book and poem collection published.
As long as you don't turn aside from God to pursue it, go for it!
2007-03-19 16:04:53 · answer #9 · answered by ♥LadyC♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead, God has called you to freedom, not bondage. I write for movies and video. Currently I have a film that has been entered into On The Lot reality series. My current film is not religiously themed at all. It is a WWII story.
2007-03-19 17:11:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christian writers are what this world needs! Good movies, books etc. that can lift everyone up regardless of religion.
Narnia! LOTR!
Just remember to write nothing that is unacceptable to the Lord. Ask Him to guide your work so you can touch many people.
2007-03-19 16:09:27 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋