Thursdays - Devotions for Writers“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
(John 13:34 NIV)
A family member is getting married and asked if I would help pick out appropriate Bible verses to be read during the ceremony. So, I began pouring through scriptures for anything that had to do with marriage . . . and typed up verse after verse about loving and honoring others.
Love. Powerful word.
As God’s people, we're called to love one another, as Christ has loved us. That means our Lord desires us to respect, honor . . . and love other writers.
But do we always?
I write both nonfiction and fiction, and I enjoy reading a variety of genres. But that’s me. Not everyone likes a smorgasbord.
I’ve seen nonfiction authors look down on people who write fiction. After all, how could anyone deliver a spiritual message through something only imagined? In return, fiction writers have been smug in the knowledge that at least they have an imagination.
Fiction writers have argued over how to handle violence in a thriller, suspense, or mystery. And romance authors have defended their stance on including—or eliminating—sexual tension in their novels. For some, there are books that contain too much fluff to be taken seriously. Others would point out their belief that Christian books for Christian readers shouldn’t contain anything that isn’t considered wholesome.
I hate confrontation. But I love a good debate. There’s a difference. In a debate, people respect and listen to other opinions. Once the debate is finished, hopefully both parties walk away feeling heard and a bit enlightened.
I think God desires the same in our Christian community of writers. I think it’s healthy to debate – but confrontation isn’t very productive. There is a reason God gave us different styles and levels of comfort in what we present in our work. He has a purpose for it – and that’s to reach people who have different interests and comfort levels in what they read.
We’re not called to judge. But we are required to honor, support, and lift up our fellow writers . . .
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NIV).
Dawn
