If you’re reading this post, we assume that you consider yourself to be a Christian author in some capacity. Perhaps you maintain a consistent blog on your website or regularly post your musings on a social media platform. Some of you might be regular contributors of articles for Christian magazines or websites. And others have written and published books traditionally or independently. Discover more encouragement for Christian authors.
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, your desire is to honor Jesus as a Christian author. Our desire is to provide encouragement and helpful resources for Christian authors along their journey.
Together, we’ve written and self-published over 70 books through our publishing company. We’ve experienced and fully understand the spiritual battle that occurs when a person decides to move forward to glorify God in their writing.
We’ve also had the privilege of mentoring hundreds of Christian authors through our online Christian Book Academy. It’s an absolute joy to help others fulfill their calling to be “priestly pens” in the hands of the Author of life.
Why Priestly Pens?
On numerous occasions, throughout scripture, believers are referred to as “priests.” Here are a few notable references,
“He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 1:6 NLT)
“And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10 NLT)
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)
Before Jesus came onto the scene, only a select few were appointed as priests in order to offer sacrifices and various sacred duties. These priests devoted their lives to serving God.
After Jesus became the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, he opened the door for anyone to become Kingdom priests and devote their lives completely to serving Him. For many of us, part of that service includes the words we write. For that reason, we like referring to Christian authors as “priestly pens.” Imagine the Author of life partnering with you and I (the pens) to write words that impact others now and into eternity.
Why Do We Feel Compelled to Write?
As Christian authors, we have this compulsion to write words that honor our King. And this compelling is given to us by that same King.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
Who is working in us? God is working in us. Who gives us the desire to write? God gives us that desire. Who gives us the power to write words that will outlive us? God alone gives us that power. When our aim is to please Him, he’ll always supply the resources we need. What are you currently dreaming with God about for your writing?
Being a priestly pen is part of the calling God has in mind for your life,
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
The Greek word for “good things” or works is ergon which means, “any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind.”
These accomplished products include our writing in all its various forms that God inspires in and through us!
After we surrender completely to Jesus, our lives have a fresh and unique calling. As such, our writing takes on a much deeper meaning when we follow after Christ.
God Uses All
God doesn’t waste a single thread of our lives. Everything-the good, bad and ugly-is being redeemed just as Romans 8:28 confirms,
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Emphasis mine)
Joni Eareckson Tada, an author and artist who was paralyzed in a swimming accident at age 17, said, “If God seems to be writing an unusual story in your life, don’t resist his penmanship on the pages of your days.”
With all the twists, turns, and rabbit trails, our lives are producing a thrilling adventure with Jesus as our central character who is woven throughout our stories. Any good story has ups and downs, drama, plot twists, mystery, and action. God is directing it all. In fact, he’s the Writer of the script!
One of our favorite verses in scripture is Psalm 45:1,
“Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.” (NLT)
As we yield our lives completely to the Lord, our lives become pens in the hand of the Skillful Poet…the Author of life.
Think of all the “pens” God has used throughout the ages to write His grand story. How many people have been influenced by the written words of Christian authors?
Friend, you are one of those pens! God wants to use your life to write words that live on as a legacy of His work in and through you.
Are you ready to allow God’s Spirit to flow through you like a fountain pen that’s been filled and refilled with fresh ink?
It’s our prayer that this article helps encourage you to continue being one of God’s chosen priestly pens!
Your Next Steps
- Want to keep Christ at the center of your writing, publishing, and marketing? If so, check out our FREE training for Christian authors here.
- For more encouragement as a Christian author, read our book Priestly Pens: 21 Days of Encouragement for Christian Writers
Bio:
Since 2008, CJ and Shelley Hitz have written and published over 70 books through their independent publishing company, Body and Soul Publishing.
They have mentored writers since 2010 and now help Kingdom writers, like you, take the courageous step of writing, self-publishing, and marketing your books inside their online membership, Christian Book Academy.
Together they create a powerful team to help you accomplish the goals God has placed on your heart and have been called “pastors for writers.”
Find out more and join their community of Kingdom writers here: www.christianbookacademy.com