Grace for the Writer’s Journey: The Heart of a Gatekeeper

Dear Writer, I hope you had a great week and took time to consider the question, “Are you a gatekeeper?” This week, we’re going to explore the heart of a gatekeeper a little more deeply, because here’s the thing, writer…

If you’ve been given a story to share, whether fiction or nonfiction, you’ve been positioned to open a door others may never have walked through before. That takes courage. A willingness to step into the new things God is doing in you, so that He can lead others into their new things, too.

It takes boldness to stand in a place of transition and help others through. But before we dive in, let’s look at some whose courage opened doors for others to enter the life and call of God…

The Heart of a Gatekeeper in History

Amy Carmichael is a great example of a woman with the heart of a gatekeeper. Amy received her call to the missions as a teen. Though plagued by serious health issues, her passion for God drew her to share His love with those who never experienced it before. When God closed the door for her aspirations to evangelize China, Amy found a wide-open door in India. But to her surprise, her street evangelism met with limited success.

When a little girl sold as a temple prostitute took refuge in Amy’s compound, Amy discovered her true ministry. Disguising herself as an Indian woman, Amy rescued the young girls and boys who’d been sold as slaves to the Hindu temples. Amy’s courage to go, to recognize, and to walk through God’s doors of opportunity allowed her to throw open doors of salvation for children who had never been reached before. 

You see, writer, Amy recognized that the doors God opens are not about us, but about those reach for Him.  In the same way, understanding our role as gatekeepers can help us  cast off insecurity to move forward in courageous faith.

The Heart of a Gatekeeper in the Bible

Joshua is another great example of a man who acted as a gatekeeper. When God commissioned Joshua, He said an interesting thing: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” (Joshua 1:6) Did you catch that? God didn’t say He would lead the people into the Promised Land. God said Joshua would do it, as Joshua moved courageously forward in all He commanded.  And Joshua did just that, ushering the people of Israel into a new era of victory.

You see, writer, gatekeeping is about learning to take responsibility. As my friend Laurel Thomas says, it’s easy to get into a “God hidey-hole.” We expect if He wants this writing thing done, He’ll make it happen. In reality, we are responsible for our response to His call. And if the call seems too big, it’s an opportunity to lean into Him to move forward. As we do, He positions us to unleash others into their callings too. Just like Joshua.

The Heart of a Gatekeeper in Life

I stepped into my first role as a gatekeeper when I took my first role of leadership in the church. I was the youngest in the group and had never led anything before that. I had no idea what I was doing. (And I was totally terrified!) But God used my bold step forward to inspire others to step into their God-given call, too. Not only that, He used my step of faith to prepare me for ongoing ministry in helping others as they launch into their gifts and callings. 

The Heart of a Gatekeeper in Your Life

You see, writer, having the heart of a gatekeeper doesn’t mean you’ll never feel afraid. After all, the fact that God encouraged Joshua to be bold likely meant that Joshua felt some trepidation. However, with heart of a gatekeeper, we step forward anyway. Simply because God called us, and we trust Him to be with us. Just like He promised. Let me show you…

• • And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
  • Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Philippians 2:12-13
  • For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10
  • The LORD will perfect that which concerns me… – Psalm 138:8

You see, writer, the heart of a gatekeeper is really about a bold trust in the Lord to guide you as you step out in obedience. It’s trusting you are indeed who He says you are and that He’ll work though you what He’s promised. Because here’s the thing we forget… 

When Moses cried out at the edge of the Red Sea, God told him to get himself and the people moving! He also told Moses to use the staff  he’d been given to do the work God had asked. As he obeyed, Moses opened a way through the sea to deliver God’s people on dry land. And here’s the amazing thing…

In our own unique ways, according to our unique design from Him, God wants to do the same for others through us, too.

Where to Start with the Heart of a Gatekeeper

So are you ready to step boldly forward as a gatekeeper of His glory? Here are a few things to help keep you grounded…

• 1. Honor God. Stepping into our role as gatekeepers begins as we honor the One who called us by writing it down the call He’s given us. You see, our courage is only as great as the object it’s rooted in. This is why God told Joshua to keep this book of the law before his eyes day and night. In the same way, recording God’s call to us and keeping it before our eyes is a key to cultivate a courageous heart.
  2. Rehearse the Word. In last week’s companion video, Laurel Thomas discussed the importance of personalizing God’s word in the form of confessions. As she said, it’s like “fresh manna” for our hearts. There is a Biblical principle in that, writer.  You see, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As we speak out the promises God’s given us—bother personally and in His word—it stirs up our faith to obey.
  3. Don’t Go Alone. Joshua did not complete his call as a gatekeeper alone. Neither can you. Prayerfully and purposefully integrate yourself into God’s body of believers and those He’s called you to walk alongside. As we cultivate the habit of intentional community, we are strengthened and sharpened by the encouragement and accountability that comes from His Body.  
  4. Do It Afraid. This is a critical step in growing the heart of a gatekeeper: don’t wait until you’re not afraid. As my friend Laurel says, “So often what we need isn’t an opportune moment to move…but courage…” Moving as God’s gatekeepers is about learning to seize opportunities before everything’s been figured out. Before all our ducks are perfectly aligned. After all…

Joshua had never conquered a foreign land before. Amy Carmichael had never stolen children out from under the noses of temple workers. I had never led anyone, much less a group of 80 people with a median age that matched my parent’s. But here’s the amazing thing, writer…

As we step boldly into God’s role for us, He is the one who gets the glory. Does this mean we don’t learn along the way? Of course not! Joshua studied God’s Word daily as he went. Amy Carmichael learned the Tamil language and customs that helped her infiltrate the temples. I had been practicing principles of faith and faithfulness that God pulled on to place me where He did. But here’s the thing…

Even as we learn, the heart of a gatekeeper recognizes that God’s call for us is often bigger that we can conceive. It’s not something we can study up on, per se. It’s something that ultimately we step into. And it’s something that God trains us for as we faithfully follow Him.

So I encourage you today, writer, if you’ve felt nervous to jump into God’s call to write—whatever that looks like in this season—take a deep breath and make the leap. Or just take the first step. Because, as my friend Laurel says, “Our faith to move forward opens the way for others, too.”

#Courage #KeepGoing #Gatekeeper #EveryWriterWriting