Saturday, December 1, 2012

To Write or Not to Write, that is the Question.

Well, my dear Jim, I'm afraid I've come to a crossroad in my life, as usual.
To write or not to write.
I've asked this question many times and have answered it justly, before.
April has even answered it in this blog post. (A good read at that).
There is a good verse in the Bible that says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
There is also one that says the labor is worthy of his wages or reward.
Now, if there ever were a profession for me, I think writing would be it. I do love to be creative and I love to write, to make up stories. But I do often ask myself, "does this further Christ's kingdom?"
Where does writing fit in in the grand scheme of things?

As a job, I think there's nothing wrong with it. In any other job you're expected to work unto Christ, to carry out your tasks in a Godly manner, you can do the same as a writer, can you not?
As a writer, you can also make sure not to steer people wrong, to fill your writing with good morals and values. That's a noble goal, is it not?
That's how I view writing, or would like to view it if I can take myself seriously enough, as a job. And God has no problem with jobs, right?
I'm cautious, I suppose you could say. I don't want anything to take up too much of my focus. But, you see, anyone's job takes a certain amount of focus. Even making tents in the old days took focus.
So I guess I can justify writing as a means to support one's self. But the material of the book, now that's a trickier question..

Star Wars. It's such a lovely story of good verses evil. But it takes place in a universe where God doesn't exist. Just the "Force". Lots of Christians consider Star Wars and the Force to be evil. I like to consider it an allegory or the ultimate good vs evil. I've written Star Wars books (or, I should say, a very very long book of about 700 pages) since I was about 11 years old. There's something fascinating about the subject. Recently I started to write another one, I've got plenty to fill it with but I've come to a snag, you see, I have no problem with just jotting down these stories. But considering having them published, that's another thing entirely. Putting my name on a written word and sending it out to the world for all to read, you have to be very careful about that. As though you're putting your stamp of approval on it. And, of course, I'd have to approve of it if it was going to be published under my name.
My story, of course, would have the age old good verses evil, standing fast to good morals and even the Star Wars version of righteousness. And then redemption, too, finding forgiveness for past wrongs. Do you suppose there's anything wrong with that, Jimmy? I'm not sure, sometimes I find myself asking, as I've said, "how does this further Christ's kingdom?" When you consider Christ is coming, this world will be gone and all the work and literature, too.
But, as I also said before, having a job to earn a wage is honorable in God's eyes (as long as the job is not sinful). So you see the balance?
It's almost as though I feel like I can have a job as long as I don't consider it enjoyable, because once it's enjoyable it's no longer a job.
But, hey, people sell paintings, don't they? And I wouldn't mind selling some of my Star Wars paintings. But I'd just like to know, how does it all fit into the grand scheme of things?

Of course I've been using my writing "talents" by putting together a study on Speaking. It doesn't take too much of that talent, just the ability to look up Bible verses and having a willing heart to listen and obey. But calling writing Star Wars into question asks you to look to other means of enjoyment, watching Star Wars movies, having fun at all. It seems like whenever I think it through I decide to become a nun on a mountain. :p Ok, not quite.
So, these are some musings of mine. They all came about when my brother was talking about my book and how it was up there with the good ones that are published and said it was a great candidate for being published. (And Nick is quite the critic). What say you, Jim? Do you question things in your life such as this? Have you come to any conclusions?
The only thing I can go off of right now is James 4:17, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. And, also, that we should work unto the Lord and that everything we do should reflect Christ.