More Beautiful Than a Byline

 By Maureen Miller

 

Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another.

The Lord paid attention and heard them,

and a book of remembrance was written before him of those

who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.

“They shall be mine,” says the Lord.

Malachi 3:16-17a ESV

 

I recently attended a Christian writers’ conference. Hundreds of people came together to learn from one another, grow as a community, and encourage each other. Over the course of this five-day event, I had the privilege of spending time with fellow writers who’ve become true friends, and I was blessed to encounter new folks, many of whom will now be familiar the next time we meet.

 

Along with other conferees, I attended workshops and panels where professionals shared their knowledge in areas of publication, platform-creating, and the craft of writing fiction and nonfiction. I gathered with many for keynotes, speakers sharing on a variety of topics, from persevering through difficulty to finding one’s community.

 

By week’s end, my mind and heart were full. I returned home to process—pouring over notes, printing handouts, and piecing together much of what I’d stockpiled over those few days. I saved contact information, organized business cards, and created files, hoping much of what I learned and the people with whom my path crossed might have a positive impact in future writing endeavors. 

 

After all, that’s largely what attending a writers’ conference is about. Are you nodding, relating to this? After all, you likely know. You get it. You’ve been there too.

 

The most important aspect of this conference, however—that which set it apart from the secular—is that it was Christ-centered. Indeed, this detail makes all the difference.

 

I was recently reminded of this truth when I came across Malachi’s prophecy—his words tucked in the second to last chapter of the final book of the Old Testament, just prior to what begins the “400 Silent Years.” This season spanning generations was a time when one’s faith depended largely upon oral telling, the recounting of stories like Moses parting the Red Sea, manna in the desert, and Nehemiah’s leadership in rebuilding Jerusalem’s dilapidated wall. (Speakers—you, too, should be encouraged in your craft.)

 

For the Christian writer—the one desiring to write God’s messages for a world in need—Malachi’s words are both telling and ironic. Telling because they offer a beautiful affirmation. Ironic because the writer striving to complete his or her book discovers his/her name included in a book—a book God reads. (Let that settle.)

 

Furthermore, what is it God says about those whose names are written in this book of remembrance? Hold on to your fountain pens, friends. It says …

 

They shall be mine.

 

Wow—what a promise! As Christian writers, we need this reminder. After all, we have an Enemy. That’s not to say secular writers don’t face the same foe, but perhaps for them, Satan meddles differently—messing with their marriages or wreaking havoc in other relationships. Don’t get me wrong, he’s seeking whom he may devour. But for the one prayerfully striving to pen impactful words to change hearts, the Enemy’s tactics are undoubtably different. He knows his time is limited, and he is fully aware that God’s work in and through us is powerful.

 

That’s the beauty of Christian writers’ conferences—where likeminded believers relinquished to God’s greater good for His glory and the benefit of readers come together. It’s where faith-filled writers gather to talk about the One they love, honor, and esteem.

 

And God? He pays attention, proclaiming, “Yep, add her name. Add his. These folks are Mine.” This truth is more beautiful than any byline. 

 

So, friends, I hope to see you at the next Christian writers’ conference. You’ll know just what I mean when I remind you, “You’re His!”

 

May it be so.

 

 

Photo by PIJUS GHOSH on Unsplash

Maureen Miller is a storyteller who lives on Selah Farm in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina with her childhood sweetheart Bill. They have three children and three grand-girls who affectionately call Maureen “Mora.” She blogs about God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary of life at Windows and Wallflowers (www.maureenmillerauthor.com). She recently released her debut novel, Gideon’s Book.