My husband staged the stunning pieces against the base of a tree and took pictures which he then shared on social media. I admired the images and shared them on my social media as well, but what really caught my attention was that my husband was reflected in his pottery as he took the pictures.
While this shouldn’t surprise me, the moment was ‘revelatory,’ if you will. The deeper context. . .I could see my husband in his work. My thoughts jumped straight to God. Our creator, the master potter, wants to see Himself in us when he looks at us. After all, we’re His work. We are the clay and He’s the Master Potter.
God wants others to see Him in us as well. We should reflect him.
The same is true of our writing.
Our writing should reflect God. Readers should see, feel or sense God in our writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. But I don’t think it’s something we have to work at to make happen. It can occur on its own.
Let me explain . . .
Christian writers often have varying degrees of a spiritual message in their books. When I’m writing a novel, I usually don’t set out knowing the spiritual theme, but I allow that to grow organically. I admit that sometimes the message is far from obvious, and other times it’s overt. I’m often surprised that readers will take away a different spiritual message from one of my books—regarding the same book, one reader might say it had no spiritual message, while another reader might say it contained a deep spiritual thread. How can that be? Either the message is there, or it’s not.
How about the spiritual message is in the eye of the beholder. For example, how many people have looked at the images of pottery without noticing my husband’s reflection?
I believe as Christian writers, even if our books have no overt message, God is reflected throughout the stories, and it’s up to the reader to pick up on that or not. Christian writers—those who truly love God—can’t help but reflect the Creator in their work.
In my latest release, Don’t Keep Silent, I wrote the story and the various spiritual themes emerged on their own. In fact, the title came later, as did the scripture that confirms the title and the story:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8–9
As one reviewer put it, “A major theme of this book, indicated by the title, is knowing when to remain silent, and when to speak up. It reminds us to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves; keeping quiet about wrongdoing is just another form of evil; and the implications of what can happen when we keep silent.” (Sara Wise http://semmiesspace.weebly.com)
So draw close to Him daily and your writing is sure to reflect Him, and in the end, I believe this is the ultimate reason God calls us to write, so that we can reveal Him to those who are looking for Him, as well as to some who are not.
Our writing should reflect God. Readers should see, feel or sense God in our writing, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. @bethgoddard #seriouslywrite
I believe as Christian writers, even if our books have no overt message, God is reflected throughout the stories, and it’s up to the reader to pick up on that or not. Christian writers—those who truly love God—can’t help but reflect the Creator in their work. @bethgoddard #seriouslywrite
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Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he just doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her. As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other.
Bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard plunges you into a fast-paced, high-stakes story of honor, forgiveness, and justice.
Ways to Connect:
Website: http://elizabethgoddard.com
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