I believe that writing is an act of faith. And I believe that God uses non-believers as well as believers to tell the stories he wants told.
Sorry I can't quote line and verse, but it's something like this: "If we were silent, even the rocks themselves would shout out."
We aren't silent. And as writers, we are trying desperately to shout out. Some of us are open to be used by God (knowingly or unknowingly) and some of us are not. I think I've been both.
Temperament and this faith are why I'm a Pantser. But it's certainly a difficult path. I think that I'm like Peter. I step out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the water, and suddenly realize what I've done and I sink.
Have you ever been waterskiing and have the boat stop? That's what it feels like. One minute you're skimming the water; the next you are sinking. It's creepy. I've certainly been there in life and in my writing. I step out -- and, overcome by my own fear, I sink.
Several years ago I taught two Sunday school courses that were about faith and fiction. The series is called Listening for God. (This is not an ad or something I will be paid anything for -- I'm just passing along a good thing.) I loved reading the short stories, then watching the author (if living) discuss the work and the writing process. You can hear God in these stories, yet the author didn't even know it was happening. That's just about the most exciting thing I've ever heard.
I pray that God will use me in my writing and in my life. This time, I'll try not to run away.
