Beware 5 Things Replacing God’s Direction in Your Writing

by Joshua J. Masters @JoshuaJMasters
You sit at your keyboard gently tapping the keys, not hard enough to bring letters or words to your digital page, but just enough for the rhythmic click, click, click to break the awkward silence of your uncertain direction. 
For Christian writers, feeling directionless is a more humbling experience than simple writer’s block because there’s an overwhelming sense you’re disconnected from God in the purpose He’s given you.
But if God has called you to write for His glory, He undoubtably has a path and direction for your writing. So, what prevents us from hearing His voice?
My wife and I were on a newly constructed road on our way to visit friends in Georgia, and I wasn’t sure the GPS on my phone was right. So, I decided we’d also use the Garmin GPS we had in the car.
Do you know what happened? They gave us two completely different sets of directions, which meant we had no idea where to go. Why? Because it’s impossible to follow two separate paths at the same time. 
Is it possible you can’t clearly hear God’s direction for your writing because you’re already following directions you’ve received from somewhere else?
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).
One way. 
One truth.
One life.
Jesus is the only way, but we often refuse His direction and resist submitting to His authority. We sacrifice the plan God has for our purpose in life by letting other things rule over us. 
We take our direction from idols, even as we pray for His guidance.
Here are five things you may use to replace Christ’s direction in your writing life:
1. YOUR SUCCESS
Does your direction and security come from publishing contracts and awards? 
One of the most accepted idols in our society is self-importance and success. The great danger of the writing industry, even the Christian writing industry, is finding your value in the next sales report or accepted article rather than how Christ sees you. 
When success as a writer becomes more important than being connected to God through the writing, it becomes an idol, and we stop listening for God’s direction. Instead, we try to take shortcuts to success and follow quick online formulas rather than abiding with Christ in the gift He’s given us.
Yes, we should work to develop our skills and build relationships that help hone those skills. But we must not allow outcomes to become our identity and purpose. It’s only when we dedicate our writing to His glory rather than our own that we hear His voice. 
2. YOUR TIME
That’s the first question. Do you call it your time, or do you view it as time God has allotted you? 
The number one complaint I hear from other writers is that they don’t have enough time to write. Well, there are countless articles on ways to find that time, but in sensing God’s direction, it’s less about the technique and more about the perspective.
You can easily take your direction from a calendar. That happens a lot in our culture. Is your life built on your own to-do list and scheduled events? Does your service reflect a life built on Christ? Do you go to church early—with a heart prepared for worship, or do you stroll in sometime after the announcements? Is Christ’s time with you the priority in your life or do you give Him your left-over time?
Your writing time can be an act of worship or a path to our first idol, success. When we view our hours at the keyboard as His time to speak to us through our writing rather than our time to meet a goal, we sense His direction and pleasure with each sentence. 
That naturally leads us to the next distraction on our list.
3. YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
Does football, movies, television, your smartphone, or books (Yes, even books) take up a bigger place in your life than your relationship with Jesus? Is your worldview and direction fashioned by the time you spend with Christ or the time you spend with your favorite form of entertainment?
We’re all shaped and influenced by our environment. If you spend 5 minutes reading Scripture followed by 5 hours watching Emily in Paris, which do you think has a greater impact on your thinking and writing?
We’re so adept at justifying the unhealthy leisure time we consume (Leisure is not the same as Sabbath), but every form of human entertainment directs your thinking and behavior. Yes, I too have watched an entire season on The Mandalorianin one weekend, but until Christ becomes the greatest influence in our lives, we will struggle to hear His direction.
4. YOUR POLITICS
This one has become a deathly poison to the church over last three years—a poison we used to sip on but now drink by the keg like irresponsible frat boys, so forgive me for being blunt on this point.
Are you directed by your politics more than Jesus? 
Now, be careful. 
It’s easy to say, “My politics are informed by my faith.” But is that really true, or are you using Jesus as an excuse to argue and worship politics? 
I see political posts from people who call themselves Christians on social media every day that in no way reflect the person of Jesus Christ. Does your identity come from being a Republican, Democrat, or a citizen of God’s Kingdom? Because your identity can’t be in more than one.
Yes, there are ways to be involved in politics and pray for our nation in a healthy way. I outlined some of those in my book, American Psalms: Prayers for the Christian Patriot. But there is no biblical standing for writing nasty comments, posting disrespectful memes, or playing into partisan politics on social media. You’re not standing for God’s truth; you’re promoting Satan’s division. 
I truly believe God will withhold His blessings on our writing careers so long as we so grossly misrepresent Him in the writing of our social media posts. And if politics remains an idol to us, we’ll be unable to hear his direction—as individuals or a nation.
5. YOUR RELIGION
Religion and “proper” theology might be the most devious thing replacing God’s direction in our lives because they lull us into believing we have it.
Some people worship ritual and knowledge about God over experiencing a life with God. It’s fine to discuss theology and follow regular acts of worship, but has it become your identity? Has the way you do church and your particular brand of Christian theology become more important than looking like Christ? 
Here’s another way to evaluate yourself: Does your love for arguing about the church threaten unity within the church (Colossians 2:2)?
It’s not enough for us to know Christ died for our sins. We must follow Him, taking our direction from Jesus rather than the world. And that will lead to Spirit-filled writing that impacts the Kingdom for Christ.
Spend a few moments asking God what you’re putting ahead of His direction for your life and writing. Then, let’s encourage one another in the comments.
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Joshua J. Masters is a pastor, author, and speaker with a heart for encouraging others. His book on prayer, AMERICAN PSALMS, was a Serious Writer’s Book of the Decade finalist. He’s been featured on CBN Television, HIS Radio, the Light Radio Network, and worked in the film industry as a member of SAG-AFTRA performer. He is a regular teacher and speaker for large groups. A self-proclaimed sci-fi and comic book geek, Josh loves film, pop culture and is known in some circles as THE BAT PASTOR. Joshua was raised in the White Mountains of New England and now serves as a pastor in South Carolina where he lives with his wife, Gina, and their miniature poodle, FRANKLIN THE PUP, who is the subject of his latest book. Josh would love to connect with you on his website, JOSHUAJMASTERS.COM