The truth is that writing is one step of faith after the next. Omega Writers member, Kate Mackereth, mediates on creative vulnerability and what Christ has done for us.
Changeroom mirrors. Just the thought of them makes me a little queasy. You know what I mean, don’t you? The ones with that pale lighting are the worst. They somehow manage to highlight all my stretch marks and wobblies, making me look anaemic and a few inches shorter in a single glance. It’s worse if there’s multiple mirrors. I mean, isn’t one enough? Do I really need to see my imperfections from every angle?
When everything is stripped back and there’s nowhere to hide, the honesty of that moment can be confronting. It’s vulnerable.
Fear of rejection
Most writers know this feeling (my apologies if you thought you were the only one!) Sometimes, starting at all takes courage when we are afraid our ideas are ridiculous. It takes boldness to type the words THE END after a hundred edits. It takes bravery to put your voice out there and open yourself up to reviews.
The truth is that writing is one step of faith after the next.
Why? Because the vulnerability that comes with writing, opens us up to rejection. And who would risk that?
Jesus did. Jesus risked it all.
He gave up comfort for condemnation. He traded his royal robes for a crown of thorns, suffering a painful and humiliating death. He died that we might live, hurling our sins into the depths of the sea. God extended his hand of forgiveness with a love so pure and strong you’d think everyone would reach up and grab it, right?
Actually, Jesus did all that knowing many would reject God’s offer of grace. And he did it knowing that even those of us who accept him will still mess up and fail him at some point. He did it knowing that none of us measure up and we never will.
Did it stop him? No. Even though the cost was all his, Jesus still put his hand up to get the job done. It’s a sobering thought to consider how stubborn the love of Jesus is, that he surrendered to those nails, for you and me.
He was rejected that we might be accepted.
A promise of acceptance
You wanna talk naked? Just stand before our Creator God. He sees it all. Every stain, every wrinkle, every imperfection. There is nowhere to hide.
But because Jesus was rejected by the world, was crucified and rose to life, we can be called children of God.
Because of this, dear Christian writing friend, you are more accepted than you will ever know. You are loved and embraced forever. You are secure, you are held. You are seen by the creator of the universe
Do not fear rejection. Fearlessly pursue growth as a Christian writer just as Jesus pursued you.
Find your community of writers who will support your faithful outlook as well as your creative craft. Go to the conference, enter the competition, join that chapter and pick up that pen. Hand the fear and vulnerability over to God and trust Him to walk with you on this journey.
You won’t do it alone.