Editor’s note: Each
month, the CCW blog features one of our members. This month, Betsey Kodat
reflects on her writing journey.
By Betsey Kodat
I have a dream: I want to meet Tim Keller and wow him with
my writing and praying—and have him ask me to co-author a book with him.
While indulging this fantasy, it occurred to me. I can meet
with the premier Author of all time who daily writes on human hearts. He is an editor
who managed 40 authors to create 66 books that have been bestsellers for two
millennia. Plus He is the best critic, routing for me in every project, and
knowing just how to tweak words.
There is a saying in education, kids learn to write by
writing. I believe we learn to write by speaking to God. Speak to God to
“formulate your ‘writing’ soul,” as PT Forsythe said.
This is more than praying about details like the plot, the
words, the audience, the editor and publisher, or the marketing. It is praying
to learn who we are. We each have a voice, a message, a calling and a path to
its achievement. It comes with the package when we are born, written into our DNA .
Prayer is relating to the One who knows us and the unique voice we bring to his
world.
Prayer is also about learning communication from the creator
of communication. It is not a coincidence that Jesus is the Word, the rational
principle behind existence. God knows communication; and He teaches it through
relationship. The Trinity has been in communication for eternity past; you
could say we are late to the game.
God has goals larger than writing goals. His goals encompass
all life. All writing is embedded in His purpose. He is writing on us while we
write—He is using our wrestling with our craft to form our character. When we
connect to Him, our writing develops clout and power and lastingness. As
Dorothy Sayers wrote in the Mind of the
Maker, a writer has a god-like power over his work . What better way to
learn to be this kind of “god” over our writing than to connect with our own
Author? Perhaps God has us write to learn about his craft (creator-ship) and
relate to Him better.
This is not to say prayer shortcuts hard work, education or
critique. God works through secondary causes like workshops and writers’
groups. God is our audience, watching through the whole process; He applauds
every “bull’s eye.” Why not read our work out loud to God and ask, “What do You
think?”
As I close this meditation on writing, my prayer goes with
all of you: Father, You had an idea that
is now “me.” You also have a vision for my writing. Help me discover my voice
and speak to the audience You have prepared. Show me the way this connection
will happen. Add the eternal to my three-dimensional dreams. Thank You in advance for this great gift.
