You’ve all seen the tryouts for the Voice or American Idol. The
painful ones where the Mother pushes her child that has absolutely no talent to
seek an opportunity to sing? Lying to your child- building hopes into him/ her
that will never be actualized is child abuse. Singing is not their ‘gift’. Anyone with an
ear can discern that.
A really well known singer I love with incredible pipes gets very angry
when people say= wow you have an incredible gift from God. He say’s–no- I have
practiced 8 hours a day for 19 years. That is why I can do what I can do.
I was disappointed when I heard that. Even if I practiced
all that time, I doubt I could sing as he does.
I’ve received many submissions from people who have no
writing skills. When I reject their material, inferring gently that the writing
is not at the level it needs to be to shop it around to publishers, they
respond saying everyone else that read it thinks it is wonderful. Obviously
someone is not telling the truth.
I am currently involved in a cool small group study on the
redemptive gifts listed in Romans 12. I had taken the Meyers Briggs test years
back, and at my age have a fair idea of what my strengths are, but this study
using Arthur Burk’s videos and led by group facilitator Matt Tommey at The WorshipStudio, has knocked my socks off. I look at it as one of the most important
business classes I have taken.
My Pastor Nick Honerkamp is beginning a 4 week study on the
redemptive gifts as well and in this week’s prelude to the series he said, ‘Our
problem is our perspective’. We only know what we know and we come to that
conclusion by what we see. God knows all about us. He speaks from what he knows
and sees. We judge God’s word based on what we can produce and speak from what
we see. We need new dreams and visions.
So what is the truth? And as a writer, is it merely enough to hope to write a novel because you have a decent story idea?
Before I was formed in my mother’s womb He knew me, formed
me, sanctified me, and ordained me. We come into the world with gifts; some
prophets, servants, teachers, exhorters, givers, rulers, and those full of mercy.
Then our parents ‘raise’ us, our teachers place us in our boxes and organized
denominations further aid them. Could it be that some conform to the ‘system’
and let go of their early dreams? Is it time for you to consider them again, to
seek God on what specific gift or talent you have and revive it?
Writing can be learned but not if you have no inherent ear
for it. If you have a lasting desire to write, I believe there is a gift inside
of you to do so. But you need to be honest and write from your gifting. Do not
conform and try on another’s genre or style. Be uniquely you. Speak from your
voice.
In the next couple weeks I would like to look at the writing
styles of those with different gifts. It is something I have been mulling over.
A teacher will write nonfiction and historical fiction from a heavily
researched perspective. They have a high need to get all the facts right. Where a prophet might skim over the facts - wanting to
impart the bigger picture to their reader. It explains why one authors writing
might not be your particular cup of tea. We gravitate to those that think like
us- and therefore write for us.
I think it will be fun to look at our particular gifting in a fresh way.
I hope it will release you from trying to write like someone else. Celebrate and enjoy your
uniqueness. After all, You were born that way!!
