Recently I was engaged in an email discussion raised by another writer about whether our writing is worship. The general consensus was that our gifts are from God and our using them in a way that serves others is serving him. But what about worship? That got me to thinking about how I looked at it.

When I was in my 30’s, I taught in Sunday school, headed up mission programs, promoted special offerings, taught Bible studies, was in church every time the doors opened. That was good. I needed it. Was good for my family. Now, I get more depth by personal study and worship by having a faith message in my books. I have to think about the characters’ problems, and while solving them for the characters, I’m confirming my own faith, teaching myself, and giving the reader something to think about.

For example, in my current WIP my author/character’s mentor had encouraged him from childhood to always have a “good” ending when he came up with his wild “bad” stories. In his mature, successful author years they have a discussion about opposites– bad/good, evil/good and concluded good is opposite of bad. One can do “bad” things and combat that with “good.” But being/doing good is not the opposite of evil. I loved that discussion, made me think about and present to my readers what is the opposite of evil.

I love it when I stop to realize (as the discussion reminded me) that I’m not just writing stories, but I’m learning more about my own faith and imparting that to readers who need to think about the faith message. God is teaching me as I write, and in turn I’m teaching the reader. I think when we’re experiencing that, it’s worship.