In the last month, I suggested some writers who might be worthwhile for the Christian publishing world to give attention. Those with a military or missionary season in their lives could be helpful to the Church today since they both lived a good piece of their lives in positions where personal preference, comfort, and fulfillment were far down on their priority lists.
Submission, courage, faithfulness, a clear idea of the real enemy, and a sense of mission might be helpful perspectives for believers now, and both military people and missionaries have these things down cold.
And these days, Christians everywhere are being placed in untenable positions.
Life has never been perfect since Genesis 3–in fact, far from it, even in the best of times. But now, the gloves are off, and it is time for some new perspectives for believers.
Today, a third group that could be helpful for all believers, is young Christian writers.
Why?
They remember the joy of their salvation: As David wrote, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:10-12, NIV).
They have no blind loyalty to human traditions: Jesus warned the Pharisees, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:6-8, NIV).
They have not lost hope: Older believers who have experienced much discouragement might shift their focus out of this earth to heaven, often giving up on this life. Young writers may do a better job of balancing the present and future as they have a fresh view of their good Father who is active today and into eternity. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).
They are open to being discipled: Allowing God to change your mind and heart is good for everyone, but younger believers are more like “wet cement” and open to being led properly. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV).
Young writers are not exempt from the requirement to write well and have a platform, or at least a good start to one. But certainly using technology is second nature to them, which is helpful.
We know Jesus desires his followers to have a childlike faith, meaning we trust him entirely, love him unconditionally, and obey him willingly. Maybe young writers have a better idea of how these things work together in real life. They haven’t lived long enough to develop many bad habits.
(On March 6, Steve featured Brett Harris and his Young Writers Workshop and Author Conservatory. Be sure to check out that post.)
A New Book Co-authored by Gilbert Morris and Steve Laube
When Bert Stiles wrote his Serenade
about that tumult in the sky,
did he see the Reaper’s grinning shade
and know that he was marked to die
in that vast bright empyrean
a sacrifice to gleeful Mars,
devourer of hope and dream,
yet subject to the stars
cast across the greater dome
of space to let all know
of the glowing gleaming home
and the road on which we go
to live with God, forever free,
even when killed at twenty-three?
Bert Stiles documented his experience as a B-17 pilot over Europe in Serenade To The Big Bird. He was killed in 1944, at the age of 23.
Brilliant and beautiful, Andrew. I’m keeping this one.
Hi, would you say that there is a place for first time older (considerably older – who have not shifted focus or given up on life) writers?
Of course Annie. This “Voices” series is focused on those types of writers who are under-represented in the publishing world. Most authors in Christian publishing are more mature writers.
Thank you so much. The attention clamoring voices in our mind can become our worst enemy. I’m almost ready to submit and this encourages me no end.
This post is really encouraging for me, especially as I’m currently working on my first book which happens to have Christian youths as it’s target audience. Although I have already written to your agency, since I’m yet to get a response, I’m reworking my book proposal and making sure it meets your requirements, and it projects what the book is really about.
Young Christian writers are truly needed.
Thanks for sharing this!
What a great reminder that the world needs hope, Dan, and encouragement to those who do, or could, write messages of hope. Thank you!
Hello I am Dominic Bulone. My book is a memoir of life and near death experiences. The book is a short story also. My book is Near Misses. With the right help the book can be a number one seller.