People are always shocked when they find out I graduated with a major in English literature. As if I’m some magical unicorn amidst a nation of engineering, law and medical degrees.

Top that off with my new job as Thir.st’s editorial intern – people’s perceptions of me have now become synonymous with the words “high level” and “chim”. But I’m honestly very far from that. 

There’s a misconception about writing as something really difficult and inaccessible. 

Admittedly, writing isn’t an easy art to master. But I’m here to encourage you and say that you don’t need high-level holiness and super chim English to write and share your story. 

God has set each and every one of us apart to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15). And we’ve each been filled by the Holy Spirit to help us proclaim the Good News to others (Isaiah 61:1-3). 

WE EACH HAVE A VOICE 

Each of us has a voice and a message that God has planted in our hearts. We shouldn’t allow Christian jargon (i.e Christianese) to intimidate us into silence. Our literary standards don’t define us. We are all equally worthy of speaking and writing about God. 

In Exodus 4:10 (ESV), Moses said to the Lord: “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

Like Moses, we have our fears and imperfections. But a powerful message doesn’t always need big, smart-sounding language. Our voice is enough because God made it so. 

Coming into this internship, it dawned on me just how much influence I have. Literally at the tip of my fingers (as they press down on each letter on my keyboard). This pressured me into being excellent. 

I rewrote my first article over and over again, but it was never good enough for me. It wasn’t eloquent enough; I felt that it was too shallow and too basic to touch people’s lives. I wasn’t John Piper. 

After it was published, I figured it wouldn’t do well. But to my surprise, friends and even random strangers began encouraging me, saying that the article spoke to them, that it blessed them in some way. 

This really touched my heart and spoke to me about how God works. I thought my message would be one people wouldn’t care about. Yet somehow it ended up reaching hundreds of people. 

WE ARE THE MOUTHPIECE OF GOD

If I had remained in that place where I thought my voice wasn’t good enough, I wouldn’t have stepped into God’s purpose for me. That’s exactly what the enemy wants – to prevent more of God from being revealed to others. 

God works in ways we can’t understand. In our weakness, His power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9), and He will take what we have and multiply it. We simply need to step out in obedience and use our voice for God. 

As we speak about God to people, we step into God’s purpose for us. And in doing so, we allow ourselves to be used by Him as His mouthpiece. 

God told Moses that His Word would not come from Moses but from Him. In Exodus 4:11-12 (ESV), God said: “‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.’”

In other words, my voice is one that speaks on behalf of God. It was created for the works and purposes of glorifying God, revealing more of who He is to others and sharing His teachings in the Gospel.

We each have our own individual voice that lends to painting the infinite picture of who God is.

As affirming (and ego-inflating) compliments about my works are, I need to remind myself that my writing isn’t about me. It’s about God, it’s for God and it’s from God. I need to constantly partner with God and invite Him to speak through me in each article. 

Being God’s mouthpiece means allowing God to shine brighter than my own voice. At the end of the day, it’s God who should be glorified and not me.

But that doesn’t mean we’re not important.  

SO, HOW TO WRITE? 

God has created us to be creators as well. We each have our own individual voice that lends to painting the infinite picture of who God is – each brush stroke being a unique testimony of God’s goodness. Yet the source of all this, mind-blowingly, is still God. 

When you read the undercurrents of our experiences, there you will find the greatest Writer of all.

Translating this experience into words is the tough part. 

My advice is, just write! Write until you’re out of ideas. And when you’re out of ideas, be still and let God do the rest (Exodus 14:14). Then write again!

Still stuck? Find an Aaron who can help you get the word out. Just, please, don’t stop yourself from doing God’s work out of fear (advice that I also need to heed). 

Take courage to reveal what He has planted in your heart. Be assured in knowing that He will speak through you and teach you what to say. And as we see God in our lives and share about it with others, trust me, it would be a blessing to others. 

You’ve read this article and made it all the way down here, congratulations!

Feeling inspired? Maybe you recalled a story you’ve been meaning to share but never knew how. Drop us an email at [email protected] and we’d be happy to help craft your story together with you.

And if you need some ideas to spark your creativity, head over to our Story Bank. We want to hear your voice!