Called or an Offering?

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I’ve always found the topic of “one’s calling” fascinating. We all wonder at times in our lives what our specific calling is and it’s a topic that has consumed many pages of books, blog posts, conference notes and so on. It’s often used in discussions around vocations and careers.

When I started to meet writers I was at times surprised and, often intimidated, by the fact that so many mentioned they were called to write. Because I didn’t and, still don’t, consider myself called to write. So thoughts of wondering I was less of an author quickly came to mind.

I’m one of those conservative types that when people mention their calling I immediately think of Abraham, Moses, David and the apostles. People who’ve had a very specific instruction from God to do something that He wants done and that will bring Him glory. Because if God wants you to specifically do something He’ll sure make sure you know. Won’t He?

Similarly, I’ve met and read stories of missionaries and pastors who’ve received a specific confirmation that the Lord wanted them to serve Him in those vocations.

What an honour and, what a responsibility, a calling brings with it. Do I want that?

Well, of course I do.

But over the years I’ve come to realise there are plenty of pastors and missionaries who, in the absence of the divine interaction, have chosen to serve God using the gifts He has blessed them with.

And the same applies to writing. God has blessed us with gifts of storytelling, a passion for sharing those stories and even the craft of writing. (I think I might have been away when this one was handed out. Oh, how I love editors!)

Writing in Obedience

I recently read an ebook (it's also in paperback) by two authors, Terry Burns and Linda Yezak: Writing in Obedience – A Primer for Christian Fiction Writers as in its promotion I saw it made mention of this topic of calling. I was intrigued to see what they had to say. By the way, it covers a lot of other ground for new authors, hence its tagline.

Terry is now also an agent and he was called to write.

In Terry’s view, a calling is specific and God will confirm it in some way. Sure, you may not have a burning bush moment or some other miraculous happening but God won’t leave it to chance. He’ll make sure you know. Terry at times felt intimidated that God has called Him to write: “He’s asking us to write His book.” (page 5)

Terry presented the alternative of using our writing as an offering to God. He stressed that God is no less interested in we “offerers.” “The only difference is that we are writing our book and offering it to Him rather than writing one He has given us.”(page 5)

Linda, now also an editor, on the other hand, experienced similar concerns that I did in not being called to write. But she came to realise that God blessed her with a gift of storytelling and for sharing her stories with an audience.

Terry has discovered that there may be specific projects that God calls us to write; for example, a specific novel. People are called to do certain things during particular seasons in life. When I reflect on the various God moments I experienced when writing Angelguard I can see God’s hand in it. The fact a few readers still write to me long after they’ve read it making mention of how it continues to help them in their spiritual walks reinforces that thought.

But what I do know is that we as believers are all called to love Jesus and others. And by using our gifts we’ve been given we are serving Him and the body. In continuing to offer our writing to the Lord, who knows we may one day discover that indeed we were … called? Maybe?

Linda sums it up nicely:

“It doesn’t matter whether God called you to write or you write as an offering to God. Both glorify Him.”(page 17)

I’d love to read what the rest of you think. Do others grapple with this notion?

Notes: Writing in Obedience – A Primer for Christian Fiction Writers by Terry Burns and Linda W.Yezak; Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

It's a God-thing

Photo courtesy of Anusorn P nachol/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I walked back to my desk to be surprised by the reply email that had just arrived in my Inbox. Ten minutes earlier I sent the email that I hoped would release me into a new life. With nervous anticipation I opened it.

Good morning Ian

This sounds interesting.  I was the UK publisher for THIS PRESENT DARKNESS and PIERCING THE DARKNESS.

Can you send me the text?

Are you serious?

Hallelujah. After bouncing around the room with excitement for a few minutes, I quickly shot off the full manuscript. Another reply soon arrived letting me know he’d saved the MS to his ipad and would start reading it over the weekend. I shut down my computer for the week so so thankful.

Make Contact 

Let me quickly recap the events that led to that email exchange.

A few weeks earlier I’d received a co-publishing offer from a US multi-imprint publisher having sent my proposal to the traditional imprint arm of the group. At the time (2010) this US publisher was one of the few big ones still receiving unsolicited fiction manuscripts for what I believed was it’s traditional imprint. I’m not sure if they are now.

Not being too familiar with co-publishing I sought the counsel of a number of different people: co-published and traditionally published authors, other publishers and distributors.

Only one I knew personally, the others I contacted via email. In our very connected world, I've found most people will respond and in this instance everyone did. I received mixed feedback but it was one contact that turned out to be most generous and significant.

I wrote to Paul Bootes, the CEO of Koorong, hoping, but not really, expecting a reply. He’s a busy man running a global business and doesn’t know me other than the fact I’m a customer.

Quite incredibly, Paul gave me thirty or so minutes of his time (on a Saturday afternoon!) as we chatted about a myriad of matters including my manuscript and the offer I’d received. He also kindly provided me with an introduction to the acquisitions editor at Lion Hudson. Paul’s act is a wonderful example of humbly using one’s own experience and talent to help another.

In my proposal I made reference to Frank Peretti’s “Darkness” books playing an important part in my writing journey, hence, the association in the email above.

That email connection led to a contract offer and in time Angelguard being published.

Now some people would call this series of events, pure coincidence. I don’t. I call them a “God-thing.”

I’m continually amazed how God works in this way: connecting people via a series of seemingly unrelated events and associations.

Next time you receive a nudge in your spirit, act on it. You might just be surprised what eventuates.

What's a time you were pleasantly surprised by God's mysterious manoeuvring?

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

I'm in a Love./Hate relationship

I’m in a love/hate relationship. To break free is no option. I’m too dependent. I have my high moments but then, suddenly it comes crashing down. Sometimes I wonder, who is the slave and who is the master? It draws me to itself and I see it flicker. Was that a smile? I grimace.

The computer with its WWW (or whatever) is supposed to be at my beck and call. Why then do I sometimes feel as though I am its toy? Things don’t always go smoothly when I google, email, search, post or browse. It is so frustrating. Frustration’s tears whelm up when the most simple of procedure turns into a nightmare. I’m tortured! Blood pressure rises and fingers twitch. Suddenly, the machine co-operates. Then a weather storm or a power failure hits. O joy! O rapture! Why do I have a passion to write?

That’s the hate side of the relationship.

Now for the Love side.

As I write and save there is a real sense of freedom. I can ‘cut and paste’ or add and maybe delete without a whole rewrite of a page. When the article is complete I can schedule it (hopefully, correctly). After all that I can ‘gate crash’ friend and stranger’s Face Book announcing, “It’s done!”

However, what I really love about my computer and its WWW is how it affords me a global arena. I know I’m but a grain of sand in the beach of WWW users. But, I stand amazed and humbled by the statistics from so many different countries indicating someone has looked at some aspect of my blog. I’ve gasped at the fact that something I wrote a few years ago comes up in the records as being viewed.

Cyber-space is filled with and littered by so much material. It will range from the putrid and pathetic to the glorious and God honouring. This is why I love my computer. (Or one of the reasons). I can penetrate Cyber-space to the best of my ability and give it some G and G (God and glory). This is the arena open to us as Christians who write in whatever genre and set it free over the Web. I realise we are but grains of sands but by God’s grace and power, we become a handful. Who knows what God will do with a grain of sand and He drops its contents into the heart and mind of a ‘surfer of the Net? Only God knows the result.

The fact that He might choose some words of mine is a strong motivation to write. So maybe you can understand why this grey-haired old fellow keeps writing, even when his computer is being rebellious. I have one major regret. When I secured my computer I had done some intensive training on how to handle ‘the beast’ more skilfully. Out in Cyber-space is a mission field. It is in desperate need for God’s grace and Gospel. As Christian writers let us go and penetrate it for Christ’s glory and the blessing of any who read our posts. I’m but a grain of sand but I’m motivated to spread it in Cyber-space. My unsung and unconscious theme could well be ‘Watch out world God has this grain of sand in His hand to drop into your life.’ The Lord bless all you fellow ‘grains of sand!’