Grace for the Writer’s Journey: The Synergy of Grace

Dear Writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and considered how to sharpen your discernment! This week, we’re going to look at another important aspect of partnering with God’s grace. That aspect is the synergy of grace that God imparts to us through His Body.

You see, though writing may feel lonely, we were never meant to journey alone. In fact, spiritually speaking, God planted us into His Body the moment we were born again. Why? Because He intends to strengthen and grow us through our participation in that Body.

But before we dive in, let’s look at some others who harnessed the synergy of grace to accomplish great things…

Synergy of Grace in History 

Lewis and Clark are a wonderful example of synergy. Both men played off one another’s strengths to lead the expedition of the Louisiana Purchase. However, they also recognized their weakness. Neither man knew anything about the land they were about to explore or the peoples who lived there and quickly sought help to successfully navigate the terrain and begin relationships with unknown tribes.

Sacajawea, a Shoshone Indian native to the west was a perfect fit in Lewis and Clark’s team. Through Sacajawea’s vast experience with the land, Lewis and Clark safely navigated 8,000 miles of territory, provided the first scientific report of the western frontier, and established healthy diplomatic relations with many of the tribe along the way.

You see, writer, stepping into the synergy of God’s grace for you most often begins with recognizing your need and simply asking for help.

Synergy of Grace in the Bible

Ruth and Naomi are another beautiful example of the synergy of grace. After the deaths of their husbands in the land of Moab, Ruth refused to let Naomi make the perilous journey back to Israel alone. When they reached Israel, Ruth quickly began gleaning in the fields of Boaz to provide for their needs.

Naomi, regardless of her destitute state, was also determined to do her best to see that Ruth was also provided for. When Naomi learned where Ruth was gleaning, she quickly pulled Ruth aside and coached her in how to approach Boaz to request marriage as their Kinsman redeemer.

Because each woman poured into the other what only they could, Ruth and Naomi were indeed redeemed. Both were welcomed into the security of Boaz’s family and, ultimately, the lineage of Christ Himself.

You see, writer, another part of stepping into the synergy of grace is learning to recognize those God intends us to walk with and to freely pour into them and learning to receive just as freely.

Synergy of Grace in Life

I learned the synergy of grace as I wrote and edited my first novels. It started with Jared, whose daily encouragement not only helped me finish draft one, but also urged me to visit my first writers group. At that group, I was connected to my first writer’s conference, where I met my future editor. But I didn’t actually send my manuscript to her, until an instructor at a writer’s weekend retreat informed me that my manuscript needed to get to a professional editor as quickly as possible.

When I reached out to my editor, it took the help again of my husband and a ever-expanding network to help me navigate the final editing process as I tried to create book that would spread wide across demographics. Today, the published that are now reaching readers of all ages and types. But I never could have done it apart from the synergy of grace from those walking alongside me.

Synergy of Grace in Your Life

You see, writer, as we grow in our writing and in the Lord, we don’t know what we don’t know. That’s why it takes the input of the Body—those God has connected us to both long term and in a moment—to truly grow and advance in His purposes for us and our writing. Let me prove it to you… 

• • Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
  • For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… – Romans 12:3-6a
  • As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11
  • Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:15-16

You see, writer, contrary to our culture, we were simply not created to function or grow alone. Being part of a body is imperative. Not just for us but for those others we touch within that community and ultimately through it.

Where to Start with the Synergy of Grace

 So are you ready to enter more deeply into the synergy of grace? Here are some ideas to get you started…

1. 1. Ask God. The best place to begin growing this synergy is simply by asking God what relationships and opportunities He has for you in this season. Answers may instantly spring to your mind. But if they don’t, simply begin to pray regularly and earnestly for those connections. Then, be open to God’s leading and direction. You may need to step outside your comfort zone to get where God intends for you to be.
   2. Engage. Once you know where and to whom God is leading you, begin to intentionally engage. If God is highlighting prayer partner or critique partners, reach out and ask if they would like to pray/critique regularly together. If God’s directing you toward a writers group—go. Don’t be afraid to start up conversations. Often times, as we simply engage, God shows us what doors He is opening.
   3. Be Consistent. Relationships only grow through consistency, so wherever or to whomever God leads, commit to be consistent in showing up, reaching out, praying for, and responding to those people and communities. It’s through consistency that a richness begins to develop in relationships. Don’t make the mistake of bailing too soon if you don’t immediately see what God is doing. That said, also be aware of moments where God may be speaking through a one-time encounter. Or nudging you to speak up and encourage someone you may never see again.
   4. Be Generous. As you begin to consistently step into these relationships and groups, be generous with your heart and time. Take time to listen and to invest in those relationships. Be sure to allow others to invest back into you, too. Because here’s the thing…

Stepping into the synergy of grace is really about recognizing that we are better together—because God designed us that way. In the Garden of Eden, God said it was not good for man to be alone. Adam needed a helper to accomplish his God-given work. If Adam needed a suitable helper when the world was in a state of sinless purity, how much more do we need the help of our brothers and sisters to accomplish God’s work in an adverse world today? And here’s the other thing…

When we engage in God’s work with the people He’s fitted us with, we are strengthened for the task, and the results far outweigh our individual contributions. You see, God uses the Body not just to help each part grow, but to amplify the impact and contribution of each, far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Like Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea, and Ruth and Naomi, and myself and the amazing writers He brought across my path. When our work and efforts are integrated into the larger Body of Christ, our impact on the world and on history far outweighs the faithful investment we make in one another.

Now, if you’ve felt timid about engaging with other writers, remember we were all where you are once. Some are there still. And here’s the thing: for those who wounded by past rejection, I can assure you (as someone who suffered acutely from it myself) that there is no healing for you outside of the Body. When we’ve been wounded, it’s more important than ever to stay connected. Even if that means letting the Lord align with different people. You see, God most often rushes the vital nutrients needed for healing…through His body.

So I challenge you today, writer, to engage in the Body for Christ with all its joys and heartaches. As you do, God will be able to write a more powerful story in and through your life than you ever imagined.

Be brave, my friends!

#connection #courage #synergy #grace #EveryWriterWriting