by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767

“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.” —Nehemiah 2:18 NKJV

In our roles as Christian writers, we can find great inspiration in the story of Nehemiah, as depicted in the Bible, particularly in 2:18. His unwavering dedication to his mission, exceptional leadership qualities, and strong faith in God offers us a meaningful model to emulate as we navigate our responsibilities within the context of Christian education and writing.

We should remember the importance of staying true to our faith while creating literary works. It’s crucial to weave biblical values and morals into the fabric of the stories, imparting meaningful messages of hope, grace, and redemption to the readers. By drawing inspiration from the teachings of Christ, we can craft narratives that resonate with the hearts of the audience, nurturing their faith and sparking contemplation.

It’s a privilege and a responsibility to use the written word as a vessel for spreading the light of God’s love and truth. By embracing this calling, we’re called to share our unique stories and perspectives, uplifting the spirits of others and glorifying God through our words.

How do we do this?

Doing the work is an important topic that affects not only our readers but also ourselves as writers. It’s the difference between being maximized, paralyzed, or victimized.

As Christian writers, our mission is to guide readers toward spiritual growth. This entails creating an atmosphere that nurtures spiritual development and personal enhancement. When we operate at our best, we use our God-given gifts and talents to influence the lives of our readers positively. Our work leaves us feeling fulfilled and revitalized, and we witness the impact of our labor on the spiritual success of our audience.

We may experience moments of feeling spiritually paralyzed, unable to move forward in our writing journey. That could be due to doubts, spiritual warfare, or a lack of inspiration. When we find ourselves like this, it hinders our ability to share our God-given messages. We must recognize these moments and seek God’s guidance to overcome them, allowing us to fulfill our calling as writers in His service.

Being victimized happens when we adopt a mindset of powerlessness and defeat. As Christian writers, we may feel overwhelmed by our challenges and start believing we have no control over our circumstances. This mindset not only affects our well-being but also sends a negative message to readers. We must recognize when we are slipping into a victim mentality and take steps to shift our perspective and reclaim our agency.

We’re called to embody the love, grace, and resilience of Christ. We’re tasked with maximizing our efforts to influence and nourish readers’ minds. Let’s remember our ability to inspire, empower, and make a positive impact through our writing. Together, let’s strive to fulfill our calling, support each other during a struggle, and reject any victimization mindset.

Here are four points to remember as we strive to emulate Nehemiah’s example:

Vision and Planning:

Let’s remember the importance of having a clear vision and diligently planning our writing projects, just as Nehemiah did when he set out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Let’s be intentional in setting our writing goals and creating strategic plans to guide our work, all to nurture readers’ spiritual growth.

Dynamic Leadership:

As Christian writers, we are called to exemplify courage, humility, and a strong sense of responsibility in our leadership. Our goal is to lead with passion, integrity, and a heart of service, serving as role models for our readers. Let’s demonstrate through our actions and words how to lead with Christ-like values.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

Nehemiah successfully rallied a diverse group to work together toward a common goal. Similarly, as writers, we can’t work in isolation. Let’s foster a spirit of teamwork and collaboration, recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of each community member.

Perseverance and Faith:

 Despite facing opposition and challenges, Nehemiah remained steadfast in his faith in God and persevered in adversity. In our writing journey, we’ll encounter obstacles and setbacks, but let’s lean on our faith and persevere with unwavering determination.

Let’s draw inspiration from Nehemiah’s story as we seek to fulfill our calling as Christian writers. Let’s embody vision, demonstrate strong leadership, promote collaboration, and maintain perseverance and faith in all our endeavors.

May God bless us with the wisdom, strength, and grace to excel in our work and influence the lives of our readers for His glory.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”