A Writer’s Dream

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.