Sometimes, you’re listening to a sermon and a thought strikes lightning. You scribble it in a corner somewhere and maybe put it in your journal later on. Is it messy? Yes, but it’s personal, and it’s like fuel for your own faith. That’s the good stuff, isn’t it?
Have you ever thought it might not be only for you?
It’s a compelling question. And terrifying, as well.
When you even think about turning your most private thoughts into a book, it’s normal to feel some anxiety. Your scribbles make total sense to you, but you can’t present them like that to other people, so this isn’t something to take lightly.
Besides, how do you even know if it’s time to pull the plug and turn your private reflections into public content? And what will happen if you go through with it? There’s a lot of content about publishing and the logistics of it, so that’s not what I’ll focus on today.
Instead, let’s dig into something much more fascinating – the why and the weight of that decision.
When Writing Is No Longer Just for You
When it comes to faith-driven writing, you need to understand one thing: you’re not writing for anyone.
Not really.
You’re writing to God or to yourself. Or perhaps to the nagging question that refuses to leave you alone. It’s more of a conversation than a presentation. It pours out in a journal or in a prayer.
As you’re writing, something changes.
You start to see that there’s a bigger idea behind it all, one that might resonate with others and beyond just your own story. This is the moment when writing goes from release to responsibility. You’re no longer thinking out loud but building an argument. You have a message to convey.
You’ll probably feel the weight of it because how could you not? If you’re just writing random thoughts in a notebook, it can all be messy and incomplete. But a book? That’s permanent, which is a heavy thought in theological writing.
Basically, what you’re offering is a perspective on things that are SO deep and SO important for people’s lives and faith.
Which brings me to the hardest part, and that’s losing control of your context.
Let’s say you shared part of your work with a friend. They know your story and your journey. They can pinpoint exactly which situation was the reason for that intense prayer. But a stranger doesn’t know you from Adam, so they might take a point you made and stretch it way further than you ever intended. Or maybe they’ll miss it entirely.
You have to be aware of that while you’re writing, meaning you have to be extra clear.
The purpose of publishing isn’t to put your name out there or to officially become an author. You have to take responsibility for the idea and ask yourself if this is just for you or if it is strong enough that it could help someone else.
Before you even look into how to publish a book, you have to be clear on whether what you’re writing needs to be shared or not.
Questions That Shape the Book Before It Even Exists
Here’s what you want to ask yourself before you offer your writing to other people.
Why Are You Writing This?
It’s one thing to write in order to process your own faith.
That’s just for you. But if you’re writing because you want to communicate your faith to others? Now, that’s the mindset of an author. Your purpose is the filter here, so think long and hard on it.
If what you’re doing is mostly working through your own doubts, that doesn’t have to leave your journal. Ever.
In order to write a book, you need a clearer intention.
Who Is This Really For?
For anyone interested? If that’s what you think, then you should know it’s too vague. If you want to be a good writer, you need to picture a real person.
Are you writing this for a skeptical friend or a tired leader? A curious newcomer, perhaps?
Until you choose, your writing won’t resonate with anyone.
Do the Ideas Hold Together?
A book has to have ideas that connect and build into something coherent. That’s hard work because some thoughts are great if they’re brief sentences, but fall apart when you start to expand them.
Revision is a big part of writing a book, so if you’re planning on doing this, you should know there will be a lot of back-and-forth.
Conclusion
So, should you do it?
If you’re still at “I’m just writing for me and God right now,” that’s a perfect answer. If you think you should give it a go, that works, too. If you keep your thoughts on the DL for now or forever, the only thing that matters is that you’re the one getting something out of your writing.
Maybe someday, you’ll get the urge to share it and, when you do, you’ll be at the start of one of the most exciting journeys you can embark upon.
