To Whom Shall I Speak?: Part 2

Yesterday we talked about the dilemma I'm faced with: where is the audience for what I'm called to write? Because if I don't find them, why continue to write novels like The Reluctant Prophet trilogy?

I was explaining that I took up Jeremiah to look for answers, since he had the same question: To whom shall I speak?"

When I got to chapter 9, verse 10, I finally found something concrete. God says to Jeremiah:

  "Take up weeping and wailing."(9:10)

Not a problem!

So I wept and wailed my way through the rest of the chapter, and there, buried in verse 24, I found this:

"Understand and know me, that I am the Lord. I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight."

Definitely working on that. That keeps me going for several more  chapters, looking for what God tells Jeremiah about HOW to get this message out. And what does He give him?

"Hear the words of this covenant and do them." (11:2)

Ah. Am I just writing about it, or am I practicing it myself? Can I check that one off? Gotta work on that, too.

And then I reach 12:5 and it REALLY stops sounding like God is only talking to Jeremiah:

"If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?

And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets?"

Clear translation: 'Nancy, stop whining.'

Making an honest effort to put my big girl panties on, I slogged my way through several more chapters of gloom and doom, and none of it was meshing with today's publishing market. At several points, I got more confused than ever -- I mean, "Do not pray for these people'? Really?

And then slowly, very slowly, because I'm not of Jeremiah's caliber, I began to get it. God is saying,

'Don't paint a pretty picture.'

Does that mean, like, "Some people are going to see that Harley on the front cover and the word 'prostitutes' on the back cover and be turned off. But don't "say peace where there is no peace?"

He is clearly adding, 'And don't expect to be patted on the back for it.'

Pat on the back, maybe not. But royalty check? Maybe?

Along about Chapter 15, I realized that I was a lot more like Jeremiah than I thought I was. I'm looking at my sales numbers and my contract-less future, and at the church that still behaves like a gated community -- and I, too, wail, "Woe is me!" (15:10) I can say, like Jeremiah (15:16):

"Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my ears."

And yet -- Jeremiah adds: "(So) why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?"

All right, it isn't that bad for me, at least not physically. But I DO hear, again and again, "Your books are great, but if they don't sell, we can't . .  " I was thinking I'd found a kindred spirit in Jeremiah. I could see us meeting for coffee.

Finally, when Jeremiah is wailing and gnashing his teeth (I, too, have me some TMJ pain, Jer), standing there with a worthless loin cloth, God says what I so need to hear -- what all of us who are nudged to do seemingly impossible things need to hear:

"If you utter what is precious, you shall serve as my mouth." (15:19)

Am I hearing this right, God? No matter what the results are -- sales, reviews, or better yet, people being nudged to do what You want them to do beyond just going to Bible study -- no matter what, it has to be enough to utter what is precious and hopefully, in some small way, serve as Your mouth?

Everything is not okay with Jeremiah after that conversation. I'll get to that tomorrow. But are we on the right track, do you think? Is it enough? Is it enough to stop us from worrying about whether following the Nudge is going to feed us?

Is it enough? I would love to hear. I wait in hope!

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

 

 

Comments

[Daniel F. Case]

Ever since I read part one of this question, I've heard a voice in my memory. The voice of a certain gifted writer/teacher/mentor saying, "Write the book that only you can write." I think there might have been something about that being our only authentic choice. :)

Now, I've got to say something that will one day be used against me. Yes, selling books is important. Ya gotta pay the bills, after all--and so does the publishing house. However, the true success of a book, in my estimation at least, is measured in lives touched and hearts changed. That would make you a VERY successful author.

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (like royalties, perhaps) shall be added to you."

Blessing!

D.

[Mocha with Linda]

I say "Write on!" I hate it when important books aren't written because publishers don't think the sales numbers support it. Yours is absolutely a light in the darkness. Allison Pittman's Sister Wife series is another one that is much needed today to shed light on the beliefs of Mormonism, yet they have put the brakes on it after #2. God is using you in a very real way to stir hearts. And just like in the days of Jeremiah and the days of the Pharisees in the N.T., those playing church won't get it.

Is it enough? Is following The Nudge going to feed us? (or you, as the author?) God promises to supply all our needs. Yet He also promises persecution here on earth, and a reminder that this is not our final home. Tough questions to wrestle with. When is it faith and when is it prudence?

[Jackie]

Hi Nancy,
You are hearing correctly. Here is how Amos words it, "If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel
To His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
As God-lovers, we so want to ignite the hearts of people. But, Jesus said it best when He addressed the churches in Revelation, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Sounds like we are to speak to all and God will determine who hears. Jeremiah's life was not rosy and we know what happened to Jesus. I'd say you are in great company. Stand with a good conscience, Nancy!