This is the sixth and final in a series of posts on various types of writers worth giving our attention to. Those with military and missionary service in their backgrounds, young writers, creative writers, and humble writers can each contribute to the conversation within the church as they each have valuable perspectives.
Many writers are a combination of these types, and today’s focus can also be mixed with a couple of others. But in the Christian publishing world, mature believers are important in every category.
Often, books that might have weak or even error-laden theology can come from writers who have not been Christ-followers for very long. The sanctifying process of renewing their minds after a lifetime of self-absorbed living is still in its early stages.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
Those who come to Christ and want to write a book about their salvation have good reason to be excited, but maybe they need to wait for a long period to gain some perspective.
Why are mature-faith Christian writers important?
They have more stories. Longer life means more experiences, acquaintances, time spent in study and worship, a greater perspective on the various seasons of life, an appreciation of the brevity of this life, and more refiner’s fire moments.
They know God is not 100% predictable. There are things we know for absolute certainty and things we don’t know:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).
It’s one thing to memorize this verse, but another thing entirely to know the extent it is true.
They truly understand Emmanuel. “God with us” is a warm and kindly concept, but only mature believers truly grasp the implications of Jehovah taking up residence with us in Jesus and living in us in the Holy Spirit:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1, NIV).
They understand God’s faithfulness. It is one thing to be convinced of God’s faithfulness when He’s been proven faithful every day for three years. Those 1,000+ faithful moments build a believer’s love and appreciation for God. But when God shows His faithfulness for 30 years, those 10,000 proofs pile up like stones of remembrance into an unshakable faith. The confidence exhibited is inspiring.
Mature believers are not exempt from all of publishing’s “requirements” (writing quality, platform, commitment to the craft, and more); but certainly, they have the wisdom, insight, and content to help other people.
For the other posts in this series:
Why military writers are important
Why missionary writers are important
Why young writers are important
The Writer Who Doesn’t Know What They Don’t Know
We are not on speaking terms,
maturity and I.
It turns life to a bag of worms,
and I’m a simple guy
who sees life as a rugby pitch,
with like manners and no fussin’;
just blithely scratch each single itch,
and lean into concussion.
It makes my dear wife roll her eyes
and try to keep me hidden,
for I can bring a big surprise
when I think I do God’s bidding
and I tell the Pastor he could pull
better crowds with a mech’nical bull.
Also suggested adding mud wrestling to the Spring Social activities.
Yeah, uh, no.
As always, this is another good one.
Karen, thank you!
Oh Andrew, you always crack me up!! Thank you for adding your poetic perspective!!
Karen, I am delighted to give you a smile!
May I ask for some more prayers? I now have metastases in both humerii, and can’t lift my arms. It’s a bit rough, and will interfere with my Return To Bowling.
Sleeping is impossible. I’ve been hallucinating, and in the wee hours had a nice chat with Bruce the Shark from Finding Nemo.
The prayer I need is not so much for healing as it is for a peaceful acceptance, and determination to find a way ahead.
God is always good, even when we can’t see the ends to His ways.
You’ve got my prayers, Andrew. Keep writing, letting it out, especially your silliness–it’s the best medicine, medically proven to substantially boost the immune system, whatever that is. 🙂
Chris, thank you so much!
Andrew, You will continue to be remembered in my prayers, and even more as your needs become more pressing. You have brought joy, insight, and witty humor to me and so many others through your amazing sonnets, and I treasure this unique friendship.
Linda, I am just so honoured. Thank you.
I can’t tell you how much this post meant to me. I’m struggling to get back into writing after 2 1/2 years of 24/7 care for my mom with little writing time. It’s been hard. I believe I am to pursue this but Satan throws all kinds of arguments in the way, and one of the most affective is “you’re too old!”
I am nearly 64, we’re in the throes of retiring from 30+ years of ministry, and I’m sick right now, so I feel doubly OLD!
But your words were just what I needed to hear; therefore, I WILL press on and one of these days I WILL send another query letter to Steve Laube for one of my books (if the Lord wills 🙂 ).
Blessings to you!!
64? A mere child.
Ha ha!! I’m pushing 68 and appreciate this encouragement, Dan! I’m sure I’m not the only senior/mature writer, who feels occasionally as if they’re racing the clock. Now I know that the Lord will give us time for everything that he wants us to accomplish, but, you can’t help thinking sometimes….
LOL! Perspective!
Thanks, Dan. Will be posting this today in my Facebook Writer’s group. We’re called EZ Writers (Elizabeth and Zechariah), Christian writers “of a certain age” who believe God can still deliver life through our words. We believe some stories take a lifetime to tell.
Thank you for this, Dan. I was 70 when my first book was published. If I can do this, anyone can.
Never give up. Keep writing, continue to learn all the new things we must do. And share years of life experience and God’s grace.
Thanks for this, Debra!! I needed to hear it! 😘
Thank you for sharing this post. I needed it! When we get into our later years it’s easy to think we’re too old and it’s too late to do anything with our life. But that’s not true. We all have gifts and talents and God wants us to use them no matter how old we are. I’m 66 and my goal is to finish my novel and hopefully get published. George Elliott said “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” and I agree!!
Thank you, Dan. It is so good to be reminded of these truths. Pressing on…
Thank you, Dan!
I started writing at age 11, first published at 21 (“Decision” magazine), and am still writing today approaching the big 70!
My writing has changed through the decades with more seasoned words, I think. I’m more aware when the Holy Spirit is guiding my pen than I ever was before.
Thanks for the affirmation, Dan. The stories I’ve accumulated in my 70 years are my Ebenezer: Thus far, the Lord has helped me (1 Samuel 7:12).
Dan,
I enjoy your writing, and the inspiring, uplifting responses.
Never give up if you feel writing/publication is something God is calling you to. At 56 and having actively pursued publication for more than a decade, I consider myself a mature writer. And I finally have my first traditionally published book coming out in May 2024 (thanks to Dan taking a chance on me). God bless you all as you follow God’s leading in encouraging others with your words.