Dear Writer, I hope you enjoyed our marketing mindsets series and that it helped you gear up to market your story! This month, we’re kicking off a new series to explore the grace God gives each of us for our unique writing journey.
You see, there are many facets to the grace of God, writer. Though we often think of grace in a spiritual context, there is not a more critical key to our writing success than learning to recognize and to partner with God’s grace for you. And here’s the thing about grace: God’s grace for us is directly connected to our identity in Him. And one aspect of that identity is our role as gatekeepers.
When we realize God’s given us a story we alone can share, we begin to understand “this writing thing” is more than a hobby. It’s an opportunity to help readers experience the heart of God in a way they may never have before…
Gatekeepers in History
Isaac Newton is a great example of a gatekeeper. Born shortly after the death of his father, young Newton was shipped off to live with his grandmother when his mother remarried. This developed deep roots of insecurity that never went away. Roots that caused him to be obsessive in his work and harshly defensive when facing criticism. When his stepfather died, Newton was finally reunited with his mother and attended Cambridge, where his interest in science and philosophy flourished.
Upon graduating, Newton was awarded as seat on the Cambridge faculty and dove into research in the realm of optics, motion, and mathematics and quickly began publishing his astounding discoveries. Many lauded his work. But what most people don’t know is that the attack from his academic rivals was fierce. More than once, Newton nearly refused to publish his work—or threatened to quit altogether—due to their harassment. But each time, a colleague managed to persuade Newton of the importance of his work. As a result, Newton’s voice played a pivotal role in the scientific revolution. And here’s the thing, writer…
As a writer, there will be times you face opposition, as others call into question what you have to contribute. But here’s the deal: the attacks, questions, and doubts do not change the fact that you have something important to share. After all, can you imagine if Newton had given up? This is why settling within yourself your role as a gatekeeper is so critical.
Gatekeepers in the Bible
Rahab is another beautiful example of a gatekeeper. Though raised in a culture of exploitation and victimization, Rahab quickly recognized the hand of God at work as the Israelites camped outside Jericho. When the two spies showed up on her doorstep, she boldly welcomed them, shielding them from discovery. Not only that, she freely divulged the fear of Israel and their God that had gripped her countrymen. And can you imagine what an encouragement it must have been as Israel marched, to see Rahab’s scarlet cord hanging from the wall of the city? Rahab’s boldness not only aided Israel’s first conquest in the Promised Land, it also placed Rahab in the lineage of Christ.
You see, writer, stepping into our role as a gatekeeper often requires that we lay aside our perceived weaknesses and shortcomings. Rahab didn’t let the fact that she was a prostitute disqualify her from God’s plans for her. In the same way, there may be parts of our lives that feel unseemly. But part of becoming a gatekeeper is learning to align who we think we are with who God says we are. It’s about recognizing that God’s plans for us are bigger than us. Because then He alone gets the glory. Our job is simply to open that door for Him to enter.
Gatekeepers in Life
I found myself in a gatekeeper role at my very first job. I had been hired at tech startup, and over the next few years, we received applications from several young men and women who attended school with me. As a result, my employers often asked for my opinion on these new applicants. I closed the door on several prospective employees, because I knew their record of poor attendance and irresponsibility in class. Our company was saved months of grief because of it. And here’s the thing….
When we embrace our role as gatekeepers, we begin to recognize the importance of firm “no’s” as well as of “yes’s.” Understanding our role as gatekeepers can help us recognize and resist those voices and inputs that would steer our God-given message in the wrong direction.
Gatekeeping in Your Life
You see, writer, stepping into our role as a gatekeeper is about recognizing God’s given us s gift to share. But it’s also about learning to partner with God to guard and grow that gift in spite of all outer opposition or inner weakness. Because here’s the thing. God—the giver of the gift—has already provided a grace for it. Let me show you…
- Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23
- But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
- And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” – Matthew 13:52
- Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. – Psalm 127:1
- Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – 1 Timothy 4:6
You see, writer, you’ve received a precious gift. Part of being a writer is learning to recognize, to embrace, to guard, and t grow that gift so that, at the right time, a unique expression of His glory can be released through it to those who desperately need to encounter Him.
Where to Start with Gatekeeping
So are you ready to uncover and step into your role as a gatekeeper? Here are some ideas to get you started…
- Write the Vision. One of the best first steps you can take as a writer is to prayerfully write out the vision He’s given you. What story is burning on your heart? For whom? How will it transform their lives? Set aside some time with the Lord to think and pray. Write down the vision as best you understand it. Don’t worry if it feels vague. Vision always grows in clarity and definition as we pursue it. The important thing, at the moment, is simply to capture that vision and to begin praying over it regularly. This practice will help keep you rooted as you move forward.
- Stir Up Your Faith. Once you’ve written your vision, ask God to give you supporting scriptures to pray and speak over your writing, your readers, and your journey. You see, the voice we tend to believe most is our own. The more we speak, pray, and meditate on what God has given us—that more we will believe it. And the more you will step into our identity.
- Engage in Community. One key to stepping into your role as a gatekeeper is to engage in community. I encourage you to join a writer’s group. Find a prayer partner. Attend a conference. Because here’s thing. Others often recognize the gift in us more readily than we do. And many times when God’s encouragement for us will come through the mouth of a friend, acquaintance, or sometimes even a stranger.
- Embrace Your Identity. As we step into our role as gatekeepers, it’s important to recognize the lies—the subtle internal messages—that try to undermine our work. Taking time to replace those lies and false narratives with the truth is critical to our success as writers, because here’s the thing…
There will always be something either outside you or inside you trying to tell you cannot complete the call of God on your life. And the first step in becoming a gatekeeper of His glory for others is learning to stand guard over your own heart. To reject the lies that would pollute our creative well and weaken our message. Because here’s the thing…
Our enemy knows the only way to stop God’s call on our life is to convince us to give up. But as we learn to stand as gatekeepers over our own hearts, it strengthens us to open the door to God’s glory for others.
So, I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve doubted the significance of your work to take some time to pause and look up. Remember who has called you. Remember who has gifted you story. As we begin to step with confidence into our role as gatekeepers, like Newton, Rahab, or myself, we have no idea what move of God He will unleash through us in the lives of others.
#gatekeeper #glory #identity #EveryWriterWriting
