by Blythe Daniel @BlytheDaniel

Recently our family was going through some old photos of when our children were young. We were looking at what they said they wanted to do when they grew up. This was before they made a declaration of faith in Christ and were considering how to use their gifts. They listed things that they thought looked cool to them: trash collector and dancer.

God has put gifts inside of them and they have been discovering those gifts ever since pre-school. Now in junior high and high school, I see the different ministries God has given them and the potential for what He has called them to do as they grow up in Him.

Two of my children have become writers, not at my urging, but at the invitation I shared if they had the desire to write. Our oldest doesn’t want to write, and she is using other talents that the Lord has given her.

The most important thing we can do in our gifts is to use them. It sounds simple but we have been given a mind to dream of things we want to pursue. God has put in each of us natural desires and giftings that I believe He wants us to explore. It starts early and stays with us.

Maybe you thought that you’re behind others in their pursuit of writing and that you won’t be able to publish a book. Perhaps the thoughts you have are that only the young and energetic writers who know how to do social media will be the ones publishing.

All of these things are not true, yet it keeps us from pursuing the gifts that God has put in us since we were young.

I believe we are in some of the most compelling days to do what we do, right now. A scripture I have been going to again and again is this one:

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:3-5, NLT

I’ve become increasingly aware of the need for Christian writers to reflect the true heart of God and the truth of what God’s Word says. This is one of the reasons I feel called to be a literary agent and author, and to be able to bring the light of who God is to a world that doesn’t recognize Him. And to encourage believers, because as God’s followers, we have a responsibility to share the Good News with others in our region, our nation, and the world.

The phrase that catches me every time in the above verse is: “fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” Paul recognizes that each follower of Christ HAS a ministry. Read that again. You and I don’t have to wonder if we have a ministry. We do! Paul has also made it clear in his letters in the New Testament that all scriptures are God-breathed. So he takes it seriously that what he writes, his letters comes from the inspiration he received from God.

As we accept our ministry and step into it (not waiting for it to come to us but taking action), here are a few things I’d encourage you to keep in mind:

• Don’t look for affirmation but your position where God has for you to write.
• Try not to focus on just one option you have to write and share your message. Sometimes there are several options and you need wisdom on choosing the best one for YOU.
• Consider how you can meet the needs in your geographical area with your ministry. Start local and move out from there.
• Seek ways you can partner with others and cross-promote each other’s audiences.
• Don’t look at doors that are closed but look for doors that are opening for you.
• Ask God to move in the impossible – He is so good at making a way where there doesn’t seem to be a way.

One of my favorite songs in this season is “Way Maker” written by gospel singer Sinach. You might want to listen to the lyrics if you aren’t familiar with it or it has been a while since you have heard it. I like to listen to this song because it reminds me that God doesn’t rely on us to move on our behalf. He is already at work in you and for you because no one wants to see you succeed more than God.

We should assume that not every writer, editor, or publisher (all the way to sales and marketing teams) will see the unique ministry we have as something they can get behind. That’s human nature, but we often take it hard if others don’t align with us. We need to remember that we are not called to serve man but God (Colossians 3:23-24).

Do you feel equipped to start seeking or continuing down the path of the ministry God has called you to?

Why do we expect it to be relatively easy to share what we believe the world needs to hear? And when it doesn’t come easily, we want to give up, which doesn’t help us continue the race that we are running toward Christ, does it? We need to remember these words:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV

May God show you, in this spring season, what new growth and new life He is impressing upon you as you “carry out the ministry God has given yo

Blythe Daniel is a literary agent and marketer and has been in publishing for over 20 years. She has written for Proverbs 31 Ministries, Focus on the Family, Ann Voskamp, and Christian Retailing. She and her mother Dr. Helen McIntosh are the authors of Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters (Harvest House Publishers).

www.theblythedanielagency.com; www.ourmendedhearts.com